The number of single fathers in the United States has seen a significant rise over the past several decades, reflecting broader changes in family structures and societal norms, but the support for single fathers has not kept pace.
Growth in Single-Father Households
According to the Pew Research Center, Single-father households have increased by ninefold from 1960 to 2011. As shown below, there were less than 300,000 single-father households in the United States in 1960, and that number increased to 2.6 million by 2011.
As a result, men make up a growing share of single parent households. In 1960, approximately 14% of single parent households were headed by fathers, and as of 2013, that number has increased to 24%.
Factors Contributing to the Shift
There are a variety of factors contributing to the rise of single fathers.
Legal Reforms
As of 2025, several U.S. states have enacted or proposed legislation encouraging joint custody arrangements following divorce, reflecting a growing trend toward shared parenting.  Legislation often includes provisions such as:​
Rebuttable Presumptions: Establishing joint custody as the default arrangement, subject to exceptions based on the child's welfare.
Equal Parenting Time: Encouraging or mandating approximately equal time-sharing between parents.​
Best Interest Standards: Ensuring that custody decisions prioritize the child's well-being, with joint custody presumed beneficial unless proven otherwise.
In addition to legislative changes, there has been an increase in judicial training that encourage courts to move away from gender-based assumptions.
Changing Societal Norms
There's also a growing recognition of the importance of fathers in children's lives, leading to increased societal support for paternal custody.
Evolving Perceptions of Fatherhood
Increased Paternal Involvement Pre-Separation
Shift in Family Structures and Gender Roles
Cultural Emphasis on Child Well-Being
Media and Policy Influence
Single Fathers are also Disadvantaged:
33% have a high school diploma or less
17% have a Bachelor's degree
36% live at or below the poverty line
39.6% of custodial single fathers were awarded child support.
Fathers are increasingly being recognized as capable primary caregivers, with legal systems and societal attitudes shifting to support more balanced custody arrangements.
The Need for Single Father Support
As the number of single fathers with custody continues to rise, there is a growing need for tailored support systems that address their unique challenges and responsibilities. Single fathers often lack the same level of community support or peer networks that single mothers may more readily access, leaving them at risk of isolation or burnout.
Establishing resources, such as those provided by The People's Dad, acknowledge the realities of modern fatherhood and are essential to ensuring that fathers can provide a nurturing, stable environment for their children. As societal norms evolve, our support structures must evolve in tandem to reflect the changing face of parenthood.
Citations
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2013/07/02/the-rise-of-single-fathers/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_shared_parenting_legislation?utm_source=chatgpt.com