Rev. Rick Meyer contends that when children do not have the assurance of knowing they are deeply loved and cherished, persistent emotional deficits often result. Males experience and express these deficits in unique ways. The boys and men profiled in I Love You, Son reflect the struggles of adolescent boys and adult males as they face their own emotional deficits in relation to God, self, and others. This unique contribution to the topic of being male today encourages men's efforts as husbands and fathers and extends the words of God--"Behold, my son, whom I love" (Matthew 3:17)--to all men…
The mission of this book is to give dads short, practical ideas to build a quality relationship with their 8- 12-year-old sons.Dad, build a lasting bridge to your son's heart. This critical period when he's between eight and twelve years of age is the time to build an unbreakable bond with your son. But how do you forge a strong and resilient relationship that can withstand those potentially turbulent teenage years lying just up ahead? Dad's Everything Book for Sons is a practical, hands-on manual for dads who have the will but aren't quite sure of the way to give their sons the legacy of a…
This chapter describes a grant program spearheaded by the Sisters of Charity Foundation to reduce poverty by addressing fatherlessness in South Carolina. The foundation created a partnership with the University of South Carolina and concerned communities across South Carolina to analyze the fatherless problem, develop a plan for strategic action, and initiate a planning process. The process resulted in six funded programs representing an investment of $2.2 million by the Sisters of Charity Foundation. The majority of those served by programs will be African American men and their children.…
This interactive handbook teaches fathers how to contribute to their child's academic success. It lets them know that parents are a child's most important teachers and role models, and encourages them to play an active role in their child' education, even if they don't live together. Includes information on parents' rights, and a list of fatherhood resources. (Author abstract)
This fact sheet discusses the influence fathers have on children's health habits. Two of the most important modeling behaviors fathers can provide are their own diet and exercise habits. A 1999 study by Child Trends concluded that, "the most serious threat to the health of American children is the behavior of their own parents." Other research has found that families whose fathers modeled and supported good eating habits tended to eat more meals together, watch TV less, and exercise more often.
Many, if not most, foster children are living apart from their fathers at the time they are removed from their homes. Once removed, these children experience even less contact with their noncustodial fathers. The dearth of fathers in the lives of foster children is of mounting concern as efforts to expedite permanent homes for these children intensify and there is greater recognition of fathers' contributions to family stability and children's healthy development. Consequently, in recent years, legislative and policy changes affecting child support and child welfare have placed new emphasis…
Almost half (46%) of high school-aged teens in the United States have had sexual intercourse. Because of continued concern about teenage sexual activity and support for messages that encourage young people to delay sexual debut, where and when teens first have sex is a matter of interest to those who run programs for teens, to policymakers, and to parents. This "Science Says" research brief uses data from a recent national survey to examine the time and place teens first have sex and provides recommendations based on these findings. (Author abstract)
This brief highlights findings from research about the impact of father involvement on child development and well-being. The literature includes studies of intact families, as well as families in which children do not live with their father. In general, the research indicates that fathers can have a significant impact on cognitive development, academic achievement, and social development, especially when they participate in child care tasks and utilize a warm and nurturing parenting style. Child support is associated with positive cognitive, academic, and behavioral outcomes for children…
