Men and women have crucial and complementary roles that determine the success of a family, and even when I recognize the importance of both partners; today, I want to focus on the father's role.

I want to base this entry on the conference talk Sustainable Societies by Elder D. Todd Christofferson who gives a wonderful explanation of the divine and sacred role of parenthood, and its responsibilities. Also, I want to clarify that this is a personal view of what I've seen and experienced in my life, and not something based on scientific research or data that supports this.

My thoughts here are pure empirical knowledge based on patterns and personal experiences, and even when I'm not adding data to support this, I ask you as a reader to examine and evaluate them, and then determine if they may be valuable for you or not.

Elder Christofferson emphasized in his talk the significance of fathers' impact on their children and the importance of building strong families. He stated, "Fathers are fundamental in the divine plan of happiness." He further explained that "Fathers play an essential role in God's eternal plan" and that "when fathers are absent, physically or emotionally, from their children's lives, it is the children and ultimately society who pay the price."

The Pew research center offers some statistics that can give us an idea of the differences between single dads and single moms in the United States.

It is a reality that mothers are more willing to raise their children and take care of them than fathers. This fact has an impact on the success, development, and economy of the families of single mothers that due to their condition, have less time, resources, and support to achieve a successful family environment.

Families with fewer incomes, education opportunities, and parental supervisions also have a direct impact on the economy and progress of any society. Parents that take care of their children and provide for them are a key to improving a society in a lot of aspects, including the well-being of women and men as equal partners. 

By striving as a society to work on the principles that define a good father and teaching these principles to those young people who do not have a role model to learn about fatherhood; we will improve future families' well-being and to break the circle of absent fathers.