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To generate a national conversation on the plight of Black men and boys, the Twenty-First Century Foundation (21CF) has partnered with actor-director Mario Van Peebles and producer Karen Williams to create BRING YOUR "A" GAME -- a documentary film that, in Van Peebles' words, "sheds light on the resilience and influence of Black males." BRING YOUR "A" GAME uses screenings and accompanying community discussions as a catalyst to transform the lives of urban youth. Using a cinematic style influenced by popular culture and employing innovative technologies, the film details strategies that have…
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Training Materials The educator guide is for adults who work with middle- and high-school aged males and features activities that be used in and out of classroom settings. The guide contains a number of writing and spoken word exercises centered around Black male demographics, the prison industrial complex, and more. (Author abstract)
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Training Materials The BYAG discussion guide contains strategies to engage in programming related to Black men and boys, discussion topics, bios of the men in the film, suggested opportunities to volunteer in your community, letters from the filmmakers, and a resource section. (Author abstract)
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An increasing portion of lower class men have children in more than one relationship. These men, which I term dual fathers, are poorly understood by researchers. Based on 62 interviews with low-income fathers, this project elucidates the beliefs, behaviors, and fathering identities of dual fathers. I find that all low-income fathers tend to adapt a "father figure" rather than a "father" definition offathering responsibility. I also find that fathers tend to self-identify as responsible fathers, despitevarying definitions of responsibility. (Author abstract)
Other, Brief
This paper analyzes legislative proposals that address marriage, and the potential impact on current fatherhood programs serving low-income families. The initiation of fatherhood programs following the passage of the Personal Responsibility Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act in 1996 is reviewed and current legislative proposals are described, including: the Child Support Distribution Act of 2001 and the Fathers Count Act of 1999, which combine child support reform measures with fatherhood provisions; the Strengthening Working Families Act, which contains child support distribution…
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Many children experience adversity in the form of poverty, abuse or neglect, homelessness, or other conditions that make them vulnerable to the damaging effects of chronic stress. New research reveals that chronic stress alters their rapidly developing biological systems in ways that undermine their ability to succeed in school and in life. The good news is that we have strong evidence for programs and approaches that policy makers could use to help these children overcome the effects of stress. Home visitation and early childhood health care can give parents much-needed support and…
Other, Brief
This inaugural publication of the Family Policy Institute of Oklahoma provides a brief assessment of the status of Oklahoma's children using five different indicators representing serious challenges to their well-being: child safety, child poverty, educational success, teen births, and youth substance abuse. Findings indicate: there were over 11,000 cases of child abuse and neglect confirmed in 2013 in Oklahoma; 1 in 4 Oklahoma children lived in poverty in 2011; Oklahoma's high school graduation rate is been 72-78%; Oklahoma ranks 2nd for teen births in the United States at 47.3%; and…
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The second webinar in the 2012-2013 IRP series, Disadvantaged Men as Fathers, was presented by Lonnie Berger from the UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty. The role of men in families has changed over the past several decades; at the same time, the structure of families has become increasingly diverse. While fathers once primarily served as family providers, their role now includes a wide range of child-rearing activities, and they are much more likely to be actively engaged in children's care. In addition, the father figures in children's lives may include nonresident biological…
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We contribute to research on Black urban low-income fathers and family men, by using genealogical and qualitative methods to explore their varying attachments and contributions to households. We focus on the ways men and their families describe their positive services as providers, protectors, nurturers, and caretakers. We also address Black men's barriers to healthy family relationships and especially barriers to effective parenting. The interviews and genealogical analyses clearly show a strong pro-social desire to contribute as family men and civic leaders in their poor neighborhoods. But…
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Designed for social service providers, this document reviews public policies affecting fatherhood programs and offers recommendations for programs. It begins by discussing the impact of federal public policy on fatherhood programs and the inclusion of marriage promotion in social welfare policy. The trend towards stricter enforcement of child support requirements is noted, barriers impeding collaboration between fatherhood programs and social welfare programs are explored, and strategies fatherhood programs can use to promote collaboration with child support agencies are offered. The movement…
