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Journal Article Single motherhood has long been linked to the risk for child maltreatment. However, little is known about the role of fathers in buffering mothers' risk for child maltreatment. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this paper investigates (1) the ways in which non-resident fathers' economic contributions and involvement in parenting may moderate associations between mothers' transitions to being single and the risk for child maltreatment, and (2) whether these processes vary by race/ethnicity. Results indicate that mothers' transitions to being single are not…
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Journal Article This article introduces a special issue that is intended to move beyond the spanking debate and cultivate innovative discussion and research that will move the child welfare field forward and in a direction that will benefit children and families. It reviews the definitions of the physical punishment of children and shares research results that demonstrate the harmful effects of spanking. It then notes following articles that address the designation of spanking as an adverse childhood event, legal bans in relation to parental beliefs and attitudes toward spanking, professionals' endorsement…
Brief
Physical, mental, and emotional health have a major impact on a family’s ability to thrive. Childhood trauma, for instance, can have lasting health and social consequences. Research demonstrates that parents with health insurance are more likely to seek regular care for themselves and their children. By reimagining health care services to make it easy for children and their parents to seek preventive care at the same time — through health centers or clinics that support families in making appointments together and providing child care while parents are seeking their own health care — states…
This book establishes a safe environment where fathers-to-be, fathers, and father figures can receive support – in the comfort of their own homes or in a group setting – in exploring their fears and past traumatic experiences and how these may impact their role as fathers. Through a series of reflective exercises and messages, the intervention works to help fathers overcome the past and discover their full caring potential, so that they can positively engage with their children and families throughout each phase of parenthood. The intervention, authored by Fathers’ Uplift CEO and Founder…
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Journal Article The public health impact of evidence-based, preventive parenting interventions has been severely constrained by low rates of participation when interventions are delivered under natural conditions. It is critical that prevention scientists develop effective and feasible parent engagement methods. This study tested video-based methods for engaging parents into an evidence-based program for divorcing parents. Three alternative versions of a video were created to test the incremental effectiveness of different theory-based engagement strategies based on social influence and health behavior…
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Journal Article Impoverished and African American fathers are often criticized by policy makers for lack of involvement in their children's lives. These criticisms are limited to defining responsible fatherhood as providing economic support while ignoring other forms of nurturing. Recent studies provide a broader perspective on how impoverished and African American fathers nurture their children. This article analyzes data from five studies carried out in Syracuse, New York, between 1996 and 2011. The studies support the contention that structural violence, inherent in the disproportionate incarceration of…
Brief
Child Protective Services (CPS) and domestic violence centers are two institutions dedicated to ensuring the safety of families. Child maltreatment and domestic violence often occur within the same families, thus CPS and domestic violence centers share many mutual clients. Despite their shared goals, CPS and domestic violence centers have different service philosophies and procedures that can come into conflict when working with families who are involved with CPS and also receiving domestic violence services. This new brief describes the lessons learned from the first year of a pilot…
