Reflecting a convergence of public policy and scientific interest in the role of fathers in families, and recognizing the crucial need to examine the demographic and social processes bringing men into fathering roles and influencing their role enactment, this report summarizes presentations and recommendations of the Conference on Fathering and Male Fertility, held in March 1997. The report presents information on the state of data collection and research on male fertility, family formation, and fatherhood, based on a multi-year analysis by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. Chapter 1 provides background information, summarizes findings, and presents data collection and research problems. Chapter 2 summarizes presentations, discussions, and recommendations from the March Conference on Fathering and Male Fertility: Improving Data and Research. Chapter 3 examines determinants and consequences of male fertility and family formation. Chapter 4 identifies the conceptual, data, and policy issues that must be addressed to understand social fatherhood and paternal involvement. Chapter 5 reviews the methodological issues and changes that must be addressed if data and research are to be improved. Chapter 6 summarizes opportunities to improve federal data collection and research that have been identified for the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics to consider, and provides information on the steps being taken by Forum member agencies to turn opportunities into realities. (The report's six appendices provide information supporting each of the chapters; five of the supporting appendices contain references.) (KB)