GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The relationship between a dad and his daughter is a special one and there is an organization in West Michigan that is dedicated to deepening that relationship. The non-profit organization Daddy Daughter Time is working to give every child two active and involved parents in their life and they are focusing their efforts on dads and daughters.
Why only dads and daughters? There is Recent scientific research has proven that the time fathers and daughters spend together has dramatic effects. The research shows that teen pregnancy rates, suicide, and drug use is reduced while positive body image, test scores, and graduation rates go up when a father is actively involved in his daughter’s life. Other studies have shown that the role of fatherhood has changed. Fathers today want to be much more active and involved parents yet are still under served by media and underrepresented in court.
With this in mind, their goal is simple. Daddy Daughter Time encourages fathers to intentionally be more active in their daughters’ lives. They put together events and opportunities to allow dads to take the time with their daughters in a fun and easy way.
Another reason they focus solely on the father/daughter dynamic? Some fathers might find raising sons easier than daughters. Raising young women comes with a unique set of challenges. Daddy Daughter Time events not only provides a way for a bond to be built between a father and his daughter, it also offers a network for Dads as we take away the stigma of men connecting through their children instead of sports or career.
Today’s father wants more than to just play the “policeman with a paycheck” role in the home. But they face many struggles balancing family and work while wanting to play an equally active part in nurturing their children.
Daddy Daughter Time hosts events every month specifically to build the father/daughter relationship. You don’t have to be a member to attend their events. Anyone can purchase a ticket. But members get a pretty sweet deal – 12 months of events for one price. That’s an entire year of events like snow tubing, horseback riding, a Spring dance, live theater, and more all for around $8 a month.
They also have their DADUP program which offers fathers invaluable encouragement and “dadvice” focusing on five traits: Dependability. Accessibility. Devotion. Understanding. Patience.
While the program's events are based in West Michigan, Todd Chance, the founder of Daddy Daughter Time does state that anyone wishing to come to West Michigan for the events can and he also hints that expanding the program is something that he would like to do in the future.
FOX 47 News had the chance to speak with Todd Chance of Daddy Daughter Time at the Dad 2.0 Summit in San Antonio, Texas.