In a previously unannounced outing, Obama, father of two girls, had lunch at Kenny's BBQ on Capitol Hill yesterday with two active duty members of the military, both of whom are fathers, as well as two local barbers who are participating in an administration programme promoting fatherhood.
The "Fatherhood Buzz" campaign is designed to "reach out to dads with positive information through barbers and barber shops as a part of the administration's longstanding Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative," according to the White House.
"The more information we're getting out there to folks about how they could take responsibility for their kids, make sure that they're in their child's lives, help support their mother even if they're not living with the mother, makes a huge difference," the president told the men over heaping plates of barbecue.
Explaining his administration's efforts to support families, the president said that children with involved fathers are "are less likely to do drugs...Girls are less likely to get pregnant."
"That message is something that we want to make sure gets out there," he said.
The president delivered brief remarks to the press before diving into a platter of ribs, collard greens, black eyed peas and rice and a corn muffin, the ABC News reported.
"We're going to eat in peace now," Obama said as the cameras were escorted out.
Obama, father to Malia, 13, and Sasha, 11, is expected to spend time with his daughters on Father's Day which falls on June 17.
