The DadTalk blog features insights from dads and Responsible Fatherhood practitioners from around the country. Its goal is to start conversations about important issues surrounding fatherhood and programs for fathers today.
It happened--the day that most young people look forward to their entire lives. Our daughter turned 21, and she could not have been happier. It’s a milestone that marks the day she became a legal adult. Her mother and I rejoiced for her…
The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse recently published a new Data Snapshot revealing how men’s behaviors, attitudes, and values on family formation have changed in recent decades. The data show that men are delaying marriage and increasingly living with partners prior to getting married. Additionally, they are becoming fathers at increasingly older ages. These changes in behavior are mirrored by men’s attitudes towards children, family life, marriage, and cohabitation.…
Research on fatherhood has come a long way over the last 30 years. Fathers today are recognized more and more as caregivers, playmates, and nurturers–not just economic providers . NRFC's new research scan Father and Child Well-Being: A Scan of Current Research summarizes what fatherhood looks like today, as well as what fatherhood means for fathers’ and children’s well-being. Here’s a quick overview of some of the key points.
Characteristics of U.S. Fathers
About …
Check out this blog entry from The Family Dinner Project about helping your children develop “grit” – the qualities of perseverance, resilience, and having the attitude that failures and setbacks are all part of a longer process of learning. The Family Dinner Project, a nonprofit initiative that champions family dinner as an opportunity for family members to connect with each other through food, fun and conversation about things that matter. The…
Through program practitioners’ day-to-day work with fathers, they are given a unique window into the ways fathers shape their children’s development. However, it is also important to step back and dig into the research from time to time in order to keep up with any new findings around how and why dads are so vital to children’s lives. There is always something new to learn in the field of father involvement and children’s development—as practitioners, researchers, and (many of us) dads ourselves.
First, when we revisit the literature about fathers’ involvement, we need to define:…
Non-residential fathers are diverse, and they face diverse circumstances. Young fathers, divorced fathers, and fathers who may not have a formal relationship with a child’s mother all experience complex situations that require understanding and attention to specific challenges they face. These challenges are often compounded by other circumstances, and fatherhood programs should be aware of and prepared to help fathers navigate these challenges. Among the most typical are challenges with child support. It is sometimes difficult…
As technological innovations grow and expand into so many facets of our lives, it often seems that students are reading books less and less. Parents can easily hand their child a tablet with a game or some other app to keep them occupied, whether at the store, waiting for a doctor appointment, or at home. Although it can be beneficial for so many reasons, technology is only one aspect of learning - reading books is another, and something for which newer generations of students may find themselves struggling to find a passion.
Across studies and reports, rates of reading and numbers…
The way that children begin to understand themselves and the world around them is mediated through play. The value of play is in the way that children learn to navigate their world. The benefits are far reaching. For example, self-regulation learned through play helps with social relationships, academics, and at work.
Despite the benefits, busy routines mean that time for play is at risk. Academic pressures in school contribute to reduced recess time. This shift is compounded by the prevalence of technology and the rise of indoor activities. According to a Brookings article by…
What comes to mind when you hear the term “new parent?” Maybe it conjures the image of a frazzled and sleep-deprived adult. Parents both new and old are often seen as chronically tired, which has well-documented ramifications on their health and well-being. What about children, though? Although kids seemingly have boundless energy, their sleep needs and cycles are profound and ever-changing. Quality sleep at all stages of childhood is even more crucial for proper growth and well-being because children’s bodies and brains are still developing. This blog post will explore the importance of…
Funded by the ACF Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, the Fatherhood Research & Practice Network (FRPN) promotes rigorous evaluation of fatherhood programs that serve low-income fathers and works to expand the number of researchers and practitioners collaborating to evaluate fatherhood programs. The FRPN has funded 19 grant awards of $1 million since 2014.
On a regular basis, the FRPN leads webinars on topics of interest for fatherhood practitioners and researchers including how to find a research partner and tips for conducting successful evaluation research projects…