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Journal Article This study explored fathering among self-identified Native American men who also identified as fathers or father figures to children involved in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project. The men reported that “being there” for their child was important. The article describes how the manifestation of being there ranged from traditional to contemporary models of fathering and concludes with a discussion of specific issues that are important for social workers and social service practitioners working with Native fathers.
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Journal Article Homeless, noncustodial fathers who struggle to maintain housing also struggle to occupy the role of father. This article presents a review and evaluation of a program for homeless noncustodial fathers that provides housing and encourages their occupancy to the role of parent. The program posits that engagement with children in the role of father cannot be achieved without stable housing and the men's establishment of paternity, sense of competence in parenting, social support, and therapeutic counseling. The findings identified through a focus group with homeless noncustodial fathers…
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Journal Article The study reported here evaluated the efficacy of Partners in Parenting (PIP), which, in collaboration with Colorado State University Extension, was implemented in seven counties across Colorado. A total of 54 parents took part in the study. A pretest/posttest design was used to assess short-term changes in parenting practices, parental attitudes, and parental stress following intervention. After PIP, parents demonstrated improvement in basic elements of parent-child relationships and parenting attitudes and skills. These promising results warrant further investigation into the benefits of…
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Journal Article A growing body of research documents the importance of positive father involvement in children's development. However, research on fathers in Latino families is sparse, and research contextualizing the father-child relationship within a cultural framework is needed. The present study examined how fathers' cultural practices and values predicted their fifth-grade children's report of positive father involvement in a sample of 450 two-parent Mexican-origin families. Predictors included Spanish- and English-language use, Mexican and American cultural values, and positive machismo (i.e.,…
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Journal Article The current study investigated how fathering behaviors (acceptance, rejection, monitoring, consistent discipline, and involvement) are related to preadolescent adjustment in Mexican American and European American stepfamilies and intact families. Cross-sectional data from 393 7th graders, their schoolteachers, and parents were used to examine links between different dimensions of fathering and adolescent outcomes. Following an ecological multivariate model, family SES, marital satisfaction, and mothers' parenting were included as controls. In all contexts, fathering had significant effects…
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Journal Article This study explored first-time fathers' perceived child care skill over the transition to parenthood, based on face-to-face interviews of 152 working-class, dual-earner couples. Analyses examined the associations among fathers' perceived skill and prenatal perception of skill, child care involvement, mothers' breastfeeding, maternal gatekeeping, mothers' work hours, fathers' depressive symptoms, and fathers' beliefs about responding to a crying child. Involvement was also examined as a potential mediator between some predictors and perceived skill. Findings suggest that breastfeeding and…
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Journal Article Although scholars and policy makers herald the promotive influence of fathers' parenting involvement, limited research has carefully delineated effects of fathers' parenting on low-income children's development and whether early contributions from fathers confer long-term protective effects. Using data from the Three-City Study (N = 261), analyses assessed whether fathers' parenting practices during early childhood showed long-term links with low-income children's cognitive skills through middle childhood. Results found that fathers' warm and stimulating parenting predicted enhanced reading…
This chapter explores demographic features of fathers, who they are, where they are, and how fathering as a concept has changed over the generations. Research findings on the benefits of father involvement are shared, and cultural aspects of working with fathers are examined. Key practice points for professionals working with fathers are listed.
Concepts of fathering are explored and research findings on fathers and their relationships and impacts on boys and girls are shared. The need for fathers is highlighted and characteristics and best practices for working with different types of fathers are discussed, including: lone fathers, separated fathers, and stepfathers. Key practice points for professionals working with fathers are listed.
The role of fathers in families is explored, as well as their feelings about their children, parenting strategies, and involvement with their children. The impact of fathering on the psychopathology of children is discussed, as well as the impact of the parental relationship, the role of grandparents, and the challenges faced by gay parents. Key practice points for professionals working with fathers are listed.
