Lion King's Mufasa Becomes "Poster Lion" For The National Responsible Fatherhood Campaign

Fathers are not very well represented through out the history of Disney films. They are largely portrayed, as idiots or dead. In fact the most ideal representation of fatherhood in any Disney film is not a human, but a lion. Mufasa is by far the Dad that all of us wish we had. Loving, understanding and protective. We know from the film that Mufasa had an incredible albeit temporarily forgotten impact on his son. An impact that would eventually lead his son to reclaim his birth rite. Sure the impact of our own fathers isn't nearly as dramatic, but it is surely no less important. The National Fatherhood Clearinghouse has launched a new ad campaign just prior to Fathers-day to remind fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers and father-figures that it is the smallest moments that can have the biggest impact on a child's life.

According to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC), children who live without their biological fathers are on average at least two to three times more likely to experience educational, health, 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.

Whether they live together or just see each other occasionally, research shows kids benefit greatly when their fathers are actively involved in their lives. The Responsible Fatherhood campaign urges fathers to be proactive and not wait for their children to ask them to read them a book, play a game, or sit down together for a meal—but take the lead. Spending time with your children can energize the relationship and create a stronger bond between a father and child.

For information on The Responsible Fatherhood Campaign, and for tips on how you can be a better dad, check out Fatherhood.org.