H.C.R. No. 16 Summary

• Requests the President of the United States to create a National Commission on Fatherhood to address issues related to father absence and family structure in America.

• Cites statistics showing that 34 percent of American children live without their biological fathers, 50 percent will spend childhood in non-intact families, and 27 percent live in single-parent households.

• Notes that children without biological fathers are 2-3 times more likely to experience poverty, drug use, health problems, educational difficulties, behavioral issues, child abuse, and criminal behavior compared to children with married biological or adoptive parents.

• References that Ohio had 26 percent of households headed by single parents with minor children in 2006 and 40 percent of newborns born to unmarried parents that same year.

• Directs the House Clerk to transmit copies of the resolution to the President of the United States, Ohio Governor, Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, and Ohio news media.