Noting that the great majority of Americans will become parents at some point in their lives, this report uses data from 13 federal or privately-collected nationally-representative studies or other data sources to present a comprehensive statistical picture of how mothers and fathers in America feel about parenting, how they parent, and how they came to be parents. The report is intended to provide a factual foundation to improve public understanding and policymaking related to parenting, family formation, and fertility and to inform federal agencies as they work to improve the breadth, timeliness, and quality of data on mothers and fathers. Following an executive summary and introductory remarks, the report details more than 40 indicators in three areas: (1) parenting; (2) family formation; and (3) fertility. Parenting indicators relate to attitudes toward parenting, parenting practices, closeness and conflict between parents and children, child care and other activities with children, parenting and school, nonresidential parenting, and parental income. Family formation indicators relate to marriage, divorce, and cohabitation. The fertility indicators related to birth rates, sexual activity, contraception, and abortion. Each indicator features a discussion of its importance based on current research, a review of basic trends and population subgroup differences supported by data figures, with more detailed appended data tables. Each major section contains references. Five appendices, comprising approximately one-half the report, contain data source descriptions and data tables. (KB)