How the Dad Gap Drives Poverty: An Unseen Force Behind Economic Struggles

By Dr. Thomas Patterson

Fifty years after the Civil War, black Americans still faced severe discrimination, with segregation pervasive in schools, restaurants, and even drinking fountains. Today, although legal segregation has ended, significant challenges remain, particularly the racial income gap between black and white Americans. Racism alone can no longer explain this disparity.

Educational disparities are a key factor. Many black children remain in inner-city schools where, due to various systemic issues, academic performance is notably poor. Students graduating with subpar skills face reduced lifetime earning potential, akin to high school dropouts.

The root cause of black economic stagnation appears to be the prevalence of fatherless homes. In 1960, 24% of black children were born to single mothers; by 2018, this figure had surged to 70%. Today, only 37% of black children live with married parents, compared to 84% of Asians and 77% of whites.

Single-mother households are five times more likely to experience poverty than those with married couples. Fatherless children face higher risks of incarceration, drug dependence, and lower educational achievement, often continuing the cycle of single parenthood into the next generation.

Blaming black fathers solely for this crisis is unfounded. National statistics indicate that black fathers are often more involved in daily child-rearing activities than fathers of other races. The issue lies in the number of black fathers present to provide necessary guidance and structure for their children.

Some attribute this trend to “black culture” or claim that poverty precedes family breakdowns, but historical evidence counters both arguments. The black family structure remained strong throughout slavery, poverty, and bigotry. However, the advent of the modern welfare state in the mid-20th century, which financially incentivized family break-ups, triggered the decline of the black family.

Progressives, including many academics and activists, argue that dismantling the nuclear family could combat racism, suggesting that the traditional family structure privileges certain family forms over others, predominantly white nuclear families. This interpretation views racism as the root cause of higher numbers of black single-parent families.

This notion is misleading; family structure is a far better predictor of economic outcomes than race. Hypocritically, while advocating for various family forms, the college-educated often maintain traditional family practices in their personal lives, such as delaying childbearing until marriage and raising children in two-parent households.

Rather than stigmatizing families and fathers, efforts should focus on supporting their critical role in human well-being. Evidence suggests that families, independent of government intervention, excel in nurturing and educating children, caring for the elderly, and fostering responsible individuals.

To bridge economic and social divides, prioritizing the restoration and support of fatherhood within families is essential.

Dr. Thomas Patterson, former Chairman of the Goldwater Institute, is a retired emergency physician and served as an Arizona State Senator for a decade.