America today is in need of a few good men, and not just in reference to the former Army slogan.

“If you’re wondering what this is all about, I can give it to you in two words: Fathers matter,” said Leonard Pitts Jr., in his Tuesday night lecture.

Pitts is a syndicated columnist for The Miami Herald and author of “Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood.”

Pitts addressed a crowd of more than 100 people in a lecture titled, “Looking for a Few Good Men.”

“There is something crucial that a biological father brings to a child that only he has [to offer],” Pitts said.

Pitts explained that one in four American children now grow up in a fatherless home. In black families, this statistic jumps to 51 percent.

“Fatherlessness has become the ‘new normal’ in this country,” Pitts said.

Children without a biological father in the home are more likely to grow up in poverty, drop out of school, become dependent on drugs, exhibit behavioral problems and wind up behind bars, Pitts said.

“Statistics are clear – a child who has a father has a better chance of success,” Pitts said.

Students who attended the lecture echoed the importance of strong fathers.

“I think [hearing about strong father figures] is important because it gets knocked a lot by common culture, but it’s an important issue,” said Michael Vosatka, freshman in materials engineering.

Other students were enthusiastic to hear Pitts after reading excerpts from his book.

“I’m excited to hear his speech. Judging from the contents of his book about the presence of black men in the family, it should be very enlightening,” said Brandon Kennedy, junior in mechanical engineering.

Pitts said many of the common misconceptions about fatherhood revolve around the issues of money and the noninterchangeable role of biological fathers in the home.

“We ourselves often define our success as fathers by our ability to provide food on the table and clothes in the closet,” Pitts said. “As a man, you are expected to be a provider, but a man is so much more than a paycheck.”

In terms of interchangeability, Pitts explained the vital role of having a biological father in the home in addition to a mother figure.

“Equal does not mean the same,” Pitts said in reference to men and women.

“Although three plus three and ten minus four both equal six, they are not the same.”

Pitts also detailed his own role as a father, and the importance of being a good role model.

“It matters when we play basketball in the driveway and strike fear into the hearts of boyfriends. Our corny jokes, our sermons – they matter,” Pitts said.

Pitts closed with words of encouragement to fathers everywhere.

“We fathers, we men – we matter. I ask that you pass that on to the next good man you meet,” Pitts said.