One of the more important developments in American society in recent years has been the growth of awareness of the importance of responsible fatherhood to the well-being and proper development of children and to the health of the society as a whole. It would be an exaggeration to claim that a consensus has emerged on this issue--there remains a few "family diversity" advocates who deny the importance of fathers and what they do for children. But those who deny the importance of fatherhood seem to be increasingly irrelevant in the public discourse.Important unanswered questions remain, however…
This report is a summary of an evaluation of TSA'sYoung Fathers Project (2002-2004). The project was initiated by the (then) Home Office's Family Policy Unit (now incorporated within the Children and Families Directorate, Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Ministers and officers were concerned about high levels of teenage pregnancy in England and the lack of services to support young fathers. The project was influenced by research that showed how children benefit if their fathers are actively involved in their lives in positive ways. The Trust for the Study of Adolescence was…
red dot icon
Journal Article Recent trends in marriage and fertility have increased the number of adults having children by more than 1 partner, a phenomenon that we refer to as multipartnered fertility. This article uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine the prevalence and correlates of multipartnered fertility among urban parents of a recent birth cohort (N = 4,300). We find that unmarried parents are much more likely to have had a child by a previous partner than married parents. Also, race/ethnicity is strongly associated with multipartnered fertility, as is mothers' young age at…
red dot icon
Journal Article We use longitudinal survey and qualitative information from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine how risk factors such as physical abuse, problematic substance use, and incarceration among unmarried fathers in the study are related to fathers' early involvement with their children. The survey results indicate that nearly half of fathers have at least one risk factor and that each risk is negatively associated with paternal involvement. The results also show that fathers with risk factors are less likely to have romantic relationships with mothers and that relationships…
Based on a collection of papers presented at the 2003 Rocco C. and Marion S. Siciliano Forum, this volume explores issues related to fragile families and the impact of marriage promotion programs. It begins with a keynote address from Sara McLanahan, Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University, which addresses the many issues surrounding the current controversy over the state of marriage. Evidence of the success of the government's marriage promotion programs is shared. Following papers address: the discursive links between public images of and policies toward marriage,…
This study documents that nonresident fathers of children in foster care are not often involved in case planning efforts and nearly half are never contacted by the child welfare agency during their child's stay in foster care. By not reaching out to fathers, caseworkers may overlook potential social connections and resources that could help to achieve permanency for the child. A total of 1,222 local agency caseworkers were interviewed by phone about 1,958 specific cases between October 2004 and February 2005 to examine front-line practices related to nonresident fathers. Interviewers achieved…
red dot icon
Journal Article In "Fatherhood, Cohabitation, and Marriage," Wade F. Horn, Assistant Secretary for Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services, summarizes the importance of fathers to child well-being. He explains that "fatherlessness is a significant risk factor for poor developmental outcomes for children." This connection has led some observers to view cohabitation as a substitute or at least an alternative to marriage. Horn argues, however, that marriage is the best option for children and that cohabitation is a weak family structure compared with marriage. Children in households…
The fatherless black family is a problem that grows to bigger proportions every year as generations of black children grow up without an adult male in their homes. Even the minority of black men who do live with their children often struggle with the role. As this dire pattern grows worse, what can men do who hope to break it, when there are so few models and so little guidance in their own homes and communities? Where can they learn to "become Dad?"When Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Pitts-who himself grew up with an abusive father whose absences came as a relief-interviewed dozens of men…
The fiscal year 2006 federal budget bill--known as the "Deficit Reduction Act of 2005" (DRA)--provides $100 million per year for five years to fund healthy marriage promotion efforts, and $50 million per year over five years for responsible fatherhood programs. A brief description of each of the funds is included in this overview. (Author abstract modified)
Other
Money Habitudes is a simple but powerful tool to help people talk about money. The award-winning decks of cards are easy to use and provide new insights in a fun, game-like format. They can be used by professionals and non-professionals when working with individuals, couples or groups. Often used as an introductory exercise or icebreaker, they also work well as a standalone activity or as a module within a larger program. Used for sessions between 15 minutes and 2 hours, the cards are frequently included as part of programs that include: pre-marital, marriage enrichment, couples counseling,…
