Global Fatherhood Foundation - GFF

11/13/2025

What is Mental Health-Survey? Can you take it

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11/12/2025

It's a tiny gesture, but it speaks volumes. Global Fathers, it's alright not to know all the answers. They would come to you when you least expect it. Just be yourself. Fathers are heroes. Our action will make and build a future generation of dignified men.

11/12/2025

Thank you! Happy Veterans Day to you, too! Toda,y we honor and remember the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. If you know a veteran or are one yourself, thank you for your service

11/06/2025

November Newsletter -

Global Fatherhood Foundation works to increase father involvement by equipping communities and our partner human service organizations with the father engagement training, programs, and resources they need to be father inclusive.

11/05/2025

International Men's Day 2025 welcome-

11/04/2025

Common Effects of Growing Up Without a Dad
By Global Fatherhood Foundation-
Growing up without a father leaves marks that ripple through a child’s emotional, social, and psychological development. Research supports what many have experienced firsthand: the absence of a father figure can profoundly shape who we become. Below are some of the most common effects, interwoven with personal reflections and statistics that tell a sobering story.


1. More Likely to Be Aggressive
• Children raised without fathers are statistically more prone to anger and aggression. I know this feeling well. My anger hasn’t always been loud — sometimes it’s been quiet, simmering beneath the surface. Silent anger is dangerous; it doesn’t have a release valve. Over time, it grows with you, shaping how you react to the world.
• I’ve had to learn how to contain that anger because expressing it outwardly rarely leads to anything productive. What’s more, I now think about how this might affect my future family — if I ever have one. Would I pass this on to my children? Would they inherit my quiet storms?
Did You Know?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in three children in America lives without a father in the home.
2. More Likely to Be Depressed
• Teens without fathers are at a higher risk for depression and emotional distress. For me, depression has been an uninvited companion. It comes and goes, tinting everything in shades of gray. My natural introversion often amplifies the loneliness, making me feel like no one could truly understand.
• What helped me through were the people who refused to let me fall — friends who listened, teachers and mentors who saw potential even when I didn’t. Their kindness reminded me that life is a team sport; it’s okay to lean on others for support.
3. More Prone to Low Self-Esteem
• Without a father’s affirmation, many children struggle with feelings of inadequacy. I spent much of my life wondering why my father wasn’t there. I withdrew, convinced something was wrong with me.
• But through time and positive relationships, I’ve learned to value myself. Friends and partners taught me respect, compassion, and confidence. I’m not perfect — but I’m finally at peace with that.
Low self-esteem can grow quietly, but self-awareness and healthy connections can uproot it over time.
4. More Likely to Do Poorly in School
• A father’s presence often influences academic motivation. I coasted through school — doing just enough to pass. I’ve dropped out of college twice, and each time I’ve felt I let my mother down.
• Still, I know failure isn’t final. The effects of growing up without a father are real, but they don’t define your destiny. You always have a choice: sink or swim.
Did You Know?
Children from fatherless homes make up 71% of all high school dropouts.
5. More Likely to Be Incarcerated or Die by Su***de
• Even when accounting for income, race, and parental involvement, children — particularly boys — who grow up without fathers are twice as likely to be incarcerated later in life. They’re also more vulnerable to the devastating weight of depression and su***de.
• These statistics aren’t just numbers; they’re lives cut short. I’ve stood at that edge before — hopeless and unseen. But there’s a way back. Connection and purpose are lifelines that can pull anyone out of the darkest places.
6. More Likely to Use Drugs
• Fatherless children often seek escape through substances. My mother worked tirelessly to support us, and my sisters were off at college — so I was mostly left to myself. My older friends became my role models, for better or worse. When they tried something, I followed.
• It took years, but I eventually found my way to sobriety. Today, I’m proud to say I’m free from addiction. That realization gives me hope that I can overcome anything — because I already have.
Final Thoughts
• Growing up without a dad shapes you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Pain can teach resilience. Absence can deepen empathy. And struggle can forge strength.
• If you’ve grown up fatherless, know this: your story doesn’t end with what you lost. It begins with what you build from here.

11/01/2025

What Does It Mean to Be a Father Today?

Looking at both shoe sizes, I find myself wondering... What expectations do I have for my son? 🤔🌅

The “traditional” family has evolved, and fatherhood today looks very different from previous generations. The father’s roles as provider and protector have shifted. In most homes, both parents work, and the responsibilities of raising children are now shared more equally. 🏠🏡

However, the challenges we face today are not just about finances or physical safety—they come from a culture that can be indifferent, or even hostile, to the value of family life. Fathers must rise to meet new expectations. While mothers continue to nurture and care, fathers now take on deeper roles as caregivers and emotional supporters.

Modern dads aren’t just breadwinners—they change diapers, cook meals, soothe tears, and kiss boo-boos. This expanded role gives fathers the chance to build closer relationships with their children. But at times, men struggle to reconcile these new expectations with how they were raised, or with what society traditionally told them about being a man.

Passing the Baton to the Next Generation
One day, your son will walk in your shoes—so the question is: What kind of footsteps will you leave behind? Your son is watching and learning from everything you do, and the way you show up as a father today will shape the man he becomes tomorrow.

Being a great father isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, love, and guidance. It’s about stepping into your role with joy and pride, knowing that you’re preparing your children to thrive. Every hug, every conversation, every “I’m proud of you” leaves a lasting legacy.

Men, let’s embrace this role and celebrate the fact that we have the opportunity to shape future generations. It’s our responsibility to pass the baton of love, wisdom, and strength to our sons and daughters.

I’ve done it, and so can you. BE THE GREATEST FATHER EVER. ✔️✔️

Together, we can redefine fatherhood

10/31/2025

💬 No Judgment Zone: For All the Dads Out There 💬

Do fathers struggle? Feel overwhelmed?
Absolutely. And that’s okay.

Fatherhood is incredible — but it’s also hard sometimes. Between work, family, finances, and everything else, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. Many dads silently carry the weight of expectations — to be strong, calm, and “have it all together.” But the truth is, fathers get tired, anxious, and even lost at times too.

You’re not alone.
It’s okay to admit when things feel heavy.
It’s okay to ask for help.

There’s no weakness in needing support — only strength in recognizing you can’t pour from an empty cup.

So to every dad out there: take a breath, talk to someone, rest when you can, and don’t forget to take care of you, too. ❤️

10/28/2025

-International Men’s Day 2025 -You're invited--

📌Is a global event dedicated to supporting men’s health, raising awareness about challenges men and boys face, and celebrating their positive impact on families and communities.
📌Hosted by the Global Fatherhood Foundation and partners, this year’s theme is “Building Bridges—Empowering Men and Boys to Connect and Thrive.”
📌Join us for a family-friendly celebration featuring health screenings, community resources, music, and engaging discussions.
📌Our goal is to bring together 300 attendees for an inspiring day of connection, learning, and appreciation.

📅 Nov 15, 2025 | 11 AM–2 PM | Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

10/27/2025

10/27/2025

💖 Even Our Daughters Need Our Fathers

Daughters are among life’s greatest treasures — tender, curious, and full of potential. From their earliest days, they need the protection, guidance, and love of both parents. Whether in traditional, single-parent, or blended families, the role of a father (or a father figure) remains essential to a daughter’s development.

The Power of a Father’s Presence

Every daughter needs a male role model — someone who shows her, through words and actions, what respect, care, and integrity look like. The way a father treats his daughter shapes how she will view and relate to men throughout her life.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate fathers — for their strength, their actions, and their love.

💼 Fathers as Providers

Fathers work hard to provide the essentials — food, shelter, clothing, and opportunities. Their dedication and perseverance bring stability to the home.
A daughter who sees her father working faithfully learns that she is worthy of care and effort, and that her needs matter.

🔨 Fathers as Doers

Whether it’s fixing a leaky faucet or tackling a “honey-do” list, fathers take pride in making life better for their families.
When a daughter watches her father work to create comfort and safety, she learns that she is valuable — deserving of time, energy, and love.

💬 Fathers as Listeners

When a father takes time to truly know his daughter — to listen, understand, and validate her feelings — a deep emotional connection forms.
This sense of belonging strengthens her confidence and lessens the need to seek validation from others.

❤️ Fathers as Companions

Spending time together — reading a book, sharing a meal, taking a walk — tells a daughter she is important.
When a father’s love is consistent and attentive, his daughter feels accepted and secure.
If that bond is missing, she may search for attention elsewhere — sometimes in unhealthy ways.

🌟 A Father’s Legacy

Fathers are more than providers; they are protectors, mentors, and builders of confidence. Their love teaches daughters what it means to be cherished, respected, and secure.
Let’s honor the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and stand-in dads who remind every daughter that she is loved — and always worth the effort.