CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, – A new study shows that fathers who practice the evangelical and Catholic faiths are better parents than non-religious dads, based on the time they spend with their children in one-on-one and group activities, and dinnertime with the family.
The evidence contradicts the stereotype that conservative religious fathers leave child-rearing to stay-at-home wives, writes Bradford Wilcox, a sociologist at the University of Virginia, in the Journal of Marriage and Family.
The study shows that, “Religious culture or subculture matters,” said Sally Gallagher, an Oregon State University sociologist. Religious belief can “make a difference in men's involvement as parents,” she said.
The findings confirm General Social Survey findings from 1994 to 2000. “Overall, evangelical Protestant fathers are the most child-oriented while fathers with no religious affiliation are the least focused on children,” said Tom Smith of the National Opinion Research Center.
To read a Washington Times report on this study, click here.
To download the full text, click here.
(This update courtesy of LifeSite News.)