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Journal Article This article describes the practical application of research findings from two studies of adolescent parents, both reported in the same issue of Family Relations. The studies identified factors that influence competent parenting among teenagers and examined how those qualities can be enhanced. Self-esteem, scholastic achievement, and commitment to the child were the most significant variables contributing to competent parenting. Practitioners should focus on increasing the adolescent parent's support network and use peer influence to promote socially responsible parenting. Practitioners…
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Journal Article Factors predicting attendance by 161 adolescents and young adults at a parenting skills program were assessed. Data were collected on participant demographics, intrapersonal variables, social support, attendance goals, and parenting knowledge. Multiple regression analyses revealed four positive predictors-- receipt of AFDC, endorsing goals of meeting other parents, learning how to relax, and number of children; and one negative predictor-- total number of group sessions. Three variables, number of sessions, number of children, and learning to relax, differentiated the highest versus lowest…
This program evaluation assessed the effectiveness of the Young Men as Fathers (YMAF) program administered by the California Youth Authority. The program offers parenting education to 15 to 20 wards of the state living in four institutions to help them become more involved in their families, prevent child abuse and neglect, and provide greater emotional and financial support to their children. Data for the evaluation was collected for 822 program participants from July 1993 through December 1995 and for a comparison group of 847 wards in two non-participating institutions. While the…
