In the Inland Empire, we know what responsibility looks like. We see it in the fathers who leave before sunrise to work construction sites, warehouses, farms, and small businesses. We see it in the men coaching youth sports after long shifts, helping with homework at kitchen tables, or quietly carrying the weight of providing for their families without recognition or applause.
These men matter. And the role they play in our children’s lives matters more than we are willing to admit.
Fatherhood is not a social talking point. It is a human need. Children need fathers and strong male figures not because mothers are insufficient, but because families are strongest when both masculine and feminine strengths are valued, encouraged, and present. Study after study confirms: children with engaged fathers are more likely to succeed in school, develop emotional resilience, and avoid the pitfalls that derail too many young lives.
Research shows that children with involved fathers are more likely to earn higher grades and show greater confidence in school. They are less likely to engage in risky behavior and more likely to develop healthy emotional regulation that follows them into adulthood. According to the California Fatherhood Council, involved fathers are a key protective factor against school dropout, an issue that affects too many families across our region.
But beyond the statistics is something harder to measure and impossible to ignore: the sense of identity, stability, and belonging that fathers provide.
A father teaches a son how to become a man with integrity. He teaches a daughter what respect looks like. He models perseverance in the face of struggle and shows, by example, that love is expressed through presence and sacrifice. These lessons don’t come from lectures. They come from showing up, day after day, even when it’s hard.
And for many men today, it is hard.
Too often, fathers feel pushed to the margins. Economic pressure, cultural narratives, and a growing tendency to dismiss or demean masculinity have left many men unsure of their place in their own families. When masculinity is portrayed as something to be corrected rather than guided, we do a disservice not just to men, but to children who are watching and learning.
Healthy masculinity is not aggression or dominance. It is strength paired with compassion. It is responsibility, discipline, and emotional courage. It is the willingness to protect, to provide, and to nurture. When we emasculate men or treat their role as optional, we weaken the foundation of family life and the consequences ripple through schools, neighborhoods, and entire communities.
In the Inland Empire, we cannot afford to ignore this reality. Our region faces real challenges, economic uncertainty, educational gaps, and rising concerns about youth mental health. Supporting fathers and positive male role models is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
That means investing in fatherhood programs that help men stay connected to their children. It means workplace policies that allow fathers to be present without risking their livelihoods. It means schools and community organizations welcoming fathers as partners, not afterthoughts. And it means speaking honestly and respectfully about the indispensable role men play in raising the next generation.
This should not be controversial. It should be common sense.
Strong fathers help build strong families. Strong families build strong communities. And strong communities are the backbone of the Inland Empire.
If we truly care about our children’s future, we must stop sidelining fathers and start standing with them, affirming their value, supporting their efforts, and recognizing that when fathers thrive, our children do too.
Originally published in Redlands Community News and Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror on June 19, 2026 in print only.
Recently recognized as the top performing Republican in the California State Senate by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh represents the 19th Senate District, which includes cities and communities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.