Last week we received the follwing joint media release for Father's Day by the Advertising Council and US government departments.

NEW YORK, June 13, 2008 — The Advertising Council, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance and the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse joined today to announce the launch of new public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to show dads the critical role they play in their children’s lives to coincide with Father's Day.

According to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC), an estimated 24 million children live without their biological fathers and are on average at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health and emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents. Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior and avoid high-risk behaviors.

Created pro bono by Campbell-Ewald, the new TV, radio, print, outdoor and on-line PSAs emphasize to fathers that "the smallest moments can have the biggest impact on a child’s life." The PSAs conclude with the tagline, "Take time to be a dad today" and direct fathers to visit www.fatherhood.gov or call 1-877-4DAD411 for parenting tips and additional resources for fathers. [continues]

While I thought the idea for the campaign was quite good I was wondering what the perception was (amongst dads) of the organisations that were involved in putting the campaign together, namely:

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
The Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

I mean, how in touch are they with the needs / mindsets of fathers up and down the country? Also, some "hard to swallow" stats are being quoted in the media release. Again would be great to get some views on the research that was done by the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse.

-Stef

Technorati Tags: Advertising Council National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse News and Media The Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance
 

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