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Journal Article Nonresidential parents are in a precarious position as by definition they are outside of the family residence after divorce and hence often perceived as outside of the family system. Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews with 36 nonresidential parents living 50 or more miles from their children revealed social and institutional systems provide both assistance and barriers to parents following divorce.The challenge of continuing with their identity and role as a parent and family member was shown through their interactions with schools, religious institutions, and work places, as…
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Journal Article For thousands of years military children have been faced with many challenges that result from the combat deployment of their parents. These challenges are likely to be particularly burdensome to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers because of their emotional and cognitive immaturity, their reliance on magical thinking, and their dependence upon their parents for healthy development. This article outlines the challenges that modern young military children face, focusing on parental combat deployment, parental combat injury, parental postcombat health consequences, and parental death. Readers…
The transition to fatherhood is not signaled simply by the event of a child's birth. It also encompasses the psychological and behavioral adjustments men go through in response to the presence of a child in their lives who needs fathering. A transition to fatherhood requires both cognitive restructuring (changes in role identities, priorities, etc.) and appropriate accompanying behavioral changes. In other words, men making a transition to fatherhood begin to both think differently about themselves and act differently in their lives and relationships. (Author abstract)
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Training Materials Recent research in brain development shows how critical the first years of a child's life are to their happiness and success. That puts a special responsibility on parents and caregivers. The First Years Last Forever provides guidance to new parents to help their child thrive and reach their full potential, including information and practical tips on: bonding and attachment; building self-esteem; communication; health and nutrition; effective discipline; and choosing quality child care among other topics.
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Journal Article This study uses data on 2,494 new fathers from the Fragile Families Study to analyze why and how the arrival of a new child may influence fathers' well-being and social participation. Our regression results indicate that changes in commitments to fathering are positively associated with changes in well-being, religious participation, and hours in paid labor. The one exception is that increases in fathers' engagement activities with their new child are negatively associated with changes in their hours in paid labor. The findings suggest that increases in commitments to fathering after the…
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Journal Article Background: Children of prisoners are at increased risk of impaired health, behavioural problems and substance misuse; however, the causal pathways to these problems are unclear. Under some circumstances, parental imprisonment may result in improved outcomes for the child. This study investigates the impact of paternal arrest and imprisonment on child behaviour and substance use, as a function of child gender, and in the context of known social and familial risk factors. Methods: Longitudinal analysis of an Australian birth cohort (N ¼ 2,399) recruited 1981-83, with child outcomes measured at…
The impact of fathers on the mental health and well-being of their children is explored, including the influence of fathers' parenting styles, father involvement, low interparental conflict, and fathers' own mental health. Negative influences that impact children are also identified, and key parenting tips for fathers are offered. Information on therapy for children is provided. 23 references.
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Journal Article Using data on 294 adolescents from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health who live with a biological father and have both a resident stepmother and a nonresident biological mother, this study examines the prevalence, antecedents, and consequences of adolescents' closeness to each of their parents. Findings demonstrate that adolescents vary in their likelihood of having close relationships to resident fathers, resident stepmothers, and nonresident biological mothers, but when they can do so, they appear to benefit. Close relationships with both resident fathers and nonresident…
This chapter focuses on small group support for fathers to foster their involvement with children. It describes the potential of small groups for providing meaningful support to fathers in their efforts, shares examples of the benefits of small groups for men, gives a rationale for the power of small groups for fathers, and suggests ideas for recruiting fathers into small groups. 6 references.
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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…
