In 1960, about 14 percent of single parent households were headed by dads. Today, that figure is up to 24 percent, according to a Pew report.
That increase has been attributed to both the rise of divorce rates and non-marital births since 1960, but also is a sign of fathers’ changing role in society. In everyday life, the title of Single Father means “being a best friend, a hero, a teacher, a listener and a shoulder to cry on,” according to dad Josh Porter. Alfredo Rodriguez adds, “It means that all pictures of us together are selfies. Otherwise I’m never in the picture.”