This report is the latest in a series based on the 1997 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities. Results of the survey show that in 1999 state and federal prisons held an estimated 721,500 parents of minor children. A majority of state (55 percent) and federal (63 percent) prisoners reported having a child under the age of 18. Forty-six percent of the parents reported living with their children prior to incarceration. The survey estimates that 336,300 U.S. households with minor children are affected by the imprisonment of a resident parent. The parents reported having…
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Journal Article The last few decades have seen a dramatic increase in the number of children raised in homes where the biological father is not present. Many of these children, mired in secrecy, guilt, and family conflict, are left with unanswered questions and self-doubts about this absence. Depression and behavioral problems often result. This article reviews the clinical literature around relevant issues such as father hunger, developmental deficits, and the varying effects on the child depending on age, sex, and the degree of the father's absence. Several case examples are offered to illustrate these…
This report synthesizes research conducted in Great Britain about the effect of paternal involvement on child development and effective interventions for families in the child welfare system. Recent studies have found that 75 percent of British children are living in two-parent families. Despite a trend in single and step-parenthood, about half of non-resident fathers report that they have regular, monthly contact with their child(ren). Fathers still earn the majority of the family income, but about half of British men disagree with the traditional view of men as the primary breadwinner.…
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Journal Article This article analyzes the rights of legal absentee fathers to be notified of foster care proceedings. It reviews New York state laws regarding child protection and custody and the removal of children from a home in cases of child abuse and neglect. The article also assesses the implications of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment for family law, and highlights Supreme Court decisions about the rights of individuals in foster care cases. The discussion asserts that statutory and case law do not support the right of a legal absentee father to continual notice about legal…
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Journal Article Foster fathers play an important part in the development of their foster child by counteracting the child's previous negative experiences with men and by sharing parenting responsibilities with their wives. Discussions held during focusgroups and workshops with foster fathers revealed that men see themselves as a respite provider for the foster mother, as a mediator between their wife and the social worker, as a protector for their partner, as a source of discipline, as a role model, and as an activity leader for the family. However, the men were somewhat reserved in their relationships with…
This revised edition of The Joy of Fatherhood is for today's dad, touching on timely and relevant subjects from pre-natal care through year one of being a dad. Whether detecting an infant's illnesses, assessing a baby's development, or learning appropriate play with the newest member of the family, author Marcus J. Goldman, M.D., takes a down-to-earth, month-by-month tour of the first year of daddy's new life. Written for dads by a dad, the author applies his fathering experience and medical knowledge to cover all of the basics--from changing a diaper to feeding your baby, from packing a…
Fathers play a critical role in the development of their children; however, many fathers are uncertain about the responsibilities and privileges associated with this role. Children need fathers who love and care for them on a consistent basis. The latest research indicates that fathers who are actively involved in raising their children can make a positive and lasting difference in their lives. In contrast, this same research reveals a number of potentially negative outcomes for children whose fathers are not involved. This list contains 20 reasons why a father needs to be an active…
As parents, fathers have a unique opportunity to shape the lives of their children. Numerous factors contribute to a child's growth and development; however, among the most important are the daily interactions that take place between a father and child. Communication processes lie at the heart of these daily interactions. Fathers, husbands, and men in general, are often portrayed as not being good communicators, yet it is obvious that fathers are capable of communicating effectively with their children. Being an effective communicator, especially with young children, requires patience,…
What constitutes responsible fatherhood? Responsible fatherhood cannot be proven with a blood test, nor does it consist of simply providing a paycheck. Responsible fatherhood cannot be reduced to a single dimension. It involves commitment, self-sacrifice, integrity, and unconditional love. Responsible fathers are concerned with the well-being of their children, and their desire is to see their children succeed in all areas of life. This fact sheet provides a description of the framework developed by Ken Canfield, President of the National Center for Fathering, that summarizes the growing body…
This fact sheet provides a description of the characteristics that make fathers not only essential to the healthy growth and development of their children but also essential partners who share parenting with the mother of their children.
