Why We Want to Hear from Fathers Across Ohio

By Dr. Jasmine Moses, Policy Manager at Black Child Development Institute - Ohio

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At BCDI-Ohio, our work is centered on advancing the well-being of children and families across Ohio. We do that by listening to communities, building relationships, and creating opportunities for families to help shape the conversations that impact their lives. Through listening sessions, community conversations, advocacy, and coalition building, we are continually prioritizing learning from the people who know their communities best.

June often brings conversations about fatherhood and the important role fathers play in children's lives. While those celebrations matter, we also see this as an opportunity to listen and to reflect. What are fathers experiencing? What supports are helping them thrive? What challenges are they facing? And what can we learn from their experiences?

One thing we know is that fathers' voices are often missing from conversations about children and families. Fathers, father figures, male caregivers, and co-parents play an important role in the lives of children. They are helping children learn, grow, and navigate the world every day. Yet too often, we make assumptions about their experiences instead of creating opportunities to hear directly from them.

That is why we have launched a statewide Fatherhood Survey. We want to hear from fathers and father figures from every corner of Ohio. Whether you live in a rural community, a small town, a suburb, or a large city, your experiences matter. Whether you are raising an infant, a teenager, or somewhere in between, your perspective is important.

The survey asks fathers, father figures, male caregivers, and co-parents to share their experiences, reflect on what is helping their families thrive, and identify the challenges they continue to face. 

For us, this is about more than collecting data. It is about creating space for fathers to share their stories, experiences, and ideas. We know that families are not all the same, and neither are fathers. The more voices we hear, the better we can understand the diverse experiences of families across our state.

The survey is available in both English and Spanish, and we encourage fathers and father figures from all backgrounds and communities to participate.

We also need your help spreading the word. If you are part of a community organization, school, child care program, faith community, health care organization, or other network that serves families, we hope you will share the survey with the fathers and father figures in your community.

Every voice adds to our understanding. Every story helps paint a fuller picture of what families are navigating. And every response helps ensure that fathers are part of conversations about the well-being of children and families across Ohio. Each network leads to every voice that matters.

We look forward to learning from fathers throughout the state and are grateful to everyone who takes the time to participate and share.

Take the Survey in English

Take the Survey in Spanish