When people talk about the roles fathers play in families, too often Black dads are left out of the narrative, stereotyped, or misunderstood. The truth, as shown by solid national data, is that Black fathers do show up. They care deeply, they engage meaningfully, and they contribute in ways that make big differences in their children’s lives. Here’s why we should celebrate them, grounded in what the CDC finds.
1. Daily involvement in small moments that matter
Parenting isn’t just about big gestures. It’s in the everyday: eating together, playing, helping with bath time, reading, talking about the day. The CDC report measures frequency of things fathers do every day or several times a week with children. And Black fathers are punching well above what stereotypes suggest.
Feeding / shared meals (children under 5): Among fathers who live with children under age 5, non-Hispanic Black fathers are especially likely to eat meals (or feed) them daily. For example, 78% of non-Hispanic Black coresidential fathers ate meals every day with children under 5, compared with 74% of non-Hispanic white fathers. (CDC)
Bathing, dressing, diapering (young children): Black fathers who live with children under 5 are most likely of the demographic groups considered to bathe/dress/diaper every day. Roughly 70% of Black coresidential fathers did these care tasks daily, more often than white or Hispanic fathers in the same bracket. (CDC)
Reading to children: While reading every day is a stretch for many (especially under non-residential conditions), the data show that among coresidential fathers, Black fathers’ rates are strong. The report shows variations by race, age, education, but Black fathers are consistently part of the engaged group. (CDC)
2. Engagement even when fathers are not living with all their children
Sometimes fathers don’t live full-time with their children; life circumstances are complex. But involvement doesn’t stop there—and Black fathers are not absent just because they are non-coresidential.
Many fathers who live apart still maintain engagement via eating meals, playing, reading. Though the “every day” numbers drop vs coresidential fathers, Black nonresident fathers do better, proportionally, than many might assume. For example, the proportion of nonresident fathers who “never” eat a meal with their nonresident children is lower for Black fathers than for some other groups. (CDC)
With school-aged children (5-18 years), Black fathers living with their children are more likely than some peers to help with homework every day. The report specifically notes that 41% of Black coresidential fathers helped or checked homework daily, compared with 28% of white fathers and 29% of Hispanic fathers. (CDC)
3. Black dads’ self-perception: taking fatherhood seriously
It’s one thing to act, another to feel the weight and honor of what a father is and wants to be.
The CDC report asked fathers how good a job they think they’re doing. Unsurprisingly, fathers who live with their children are more likely to say they are doing very good jobs than those who do not live with their children. This includes many Black fathers. (CDC)
Even among fathers not living with all their children, many don’t see themselves as failing, they are doing what they can, and the involvement metrics show that. The narrative that nonresident means disengaged just doesn’t hold up to the data. (CDC)
4. Why this matters
Because father involvement, especially consistent, daily or near-daily involvement, correlates with so many positive outcomes:
Better cognitive development, academic success
Stronger emotional regulation, fewer behavior challenges
Reduced likelihood of risky behaviors in adolescence
Higher self-esteem and stability
Not just because fathers are present, but because they participate, they listen, nurture, teach, play.
Final Thoughts
Black fathers are often cast in deficit-oriented light in media and social conversation. That’s a choice, not a necessity. The CDC data shows Black fathers doing the work: feeding, dressing, teaching, helping with homework, being there emotionally. In all kinds of measurable ways, they contribute to their children’s growth, well-being, and opportunity.
So here’s to Black dads:
To those feeding their kids even when work schedules are tight.
To those helping with homework late at night.
To those reading the same bedtime book one more time, even though they’re exhausted.
To those stepping up, staying present, speaking life and love into children’s lives.
You are seen. You matter. Your everyday acts ripple outward, building stronger families, stronger communities. Thank you for being fathers, teachers, protectors, and inspirations.
