This InfoSheet presents research findings from the 2006 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study, What About the Dads? Child Welfare Agencies' Efforts to Identify, Locate, and Involve Nonresident Fathers, which was conducted by the Urban Institute with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Based on this research, it offers ways in which caseworkers can locate and work with fathers to get them involved with their children.
Until recently, the situation and capabilities ofunmarried parents, and unmarried fathers inparticular, were not well known. This infosheet presents findings from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, which helps to fill the gap in reliable data available to guide policies and practice relating to unmarried parents.
Achieving balance between work and family--especially within a shrinking economy--is challenging for all families. The Obama-Biden plan for families includes several agenda items for supporting low-income and working families, and presents an overall strategy to strengthen families at home, to ensure that all American families can work and care for their children. This white paper notes lessons learned from the Office of Family Assistance Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood demonstration grantees. ICF recommends disseminating information on this ground-breaking work to promote…
Many fathers are not aware of it, but playing with kids is very important. It teaches kids many things and has a vital impact on their development. According to research, children who have healthy, fun play with their dads strengthen the following traits: independence, self-control and self-discipline, self-esteem and emotional well-beiing, educational outcomes, socialization, and following reasonable rules. (Author abstract modified)
Although research has demonstrated the importance of early parental interactions to the development of later adult romantic relationships, the influence of young adults' relations with their parents has yet to be determined. This paper examined how the relationship of young men and women with their own parents affects the quality of their later adult romantic relationships. Males and females (ages 17-34 years old) who participated in the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth - Young Adult Survey 2004 and were either cohabiting with a partner or married were included in the current study…
Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data… This information sheet provides advice on teaching children how to handle failures so they are not defeated by them but learn from them . It also contains a list of topics for further discussion as well as recommendations for books and movies.
This brief provides information on child support for fathers who have custody of their children. It begins by reviewing the definitions of physical and legal custody, and discussing the importance and implications of child support for fathers, for children, and for fathers' partners. Tables are then given that illustrate child support trends for custodial parents between 1993 and 2003 for both custodial mothers and custodial fathers. Data indicates: the percentage of custodial mothers who had child support agreements or awards increased from 59.8% in 1993 to 64.2% in 2003, while the…
This policy brief reviews research findings on the impact economic stability and employment have on father involvement. Research results are provided that address the negative effects of unemployment, job insecurity, and economic instability on men's well-being; the impact of employment status and economic stability on resident father and nonresident father involvement; job characteristics that impact father involvement; and direct and indirect effects of father unemployment and economic insecurity on children. Charts show overall trends in unemployment among men, and differences in father…
This fact sheet shares research findings on the characteristics and outcomes of single father custodial families. Research results are cited on the implications of single fatherhood for fathers, father involvement, and children. Charts are then provided illustrating overall trends in single fatherhood and differences in single fatherhood by subgroups, including socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and educational attainment. 2 tables, 5 figures, and 3 references.
