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Journal Article A total of 82 separated and divorced fathers were interviewed in a study utilizing thematic analysis to examine fathers’ narratives about their divorce experiences, particularly in regard to their relationship with their children, and grounded theory analysis to uncover themes related to fathers’ perceptions of their children’s needs, and parental and social institutional responsibilities to these needs, during the divorce transition. We found that contextual factors, particularly the legal custody determination process, largely determine both the level of paternal involvement and quality…
Marriage and relationship education (MRE) andresponsible fatherhood (RF) programs share the goalof improving the lives of children by strengtheningthe interpersonal skills of their parents. The origins of these program areas are distinct: MRE beganprimarily as a way to prepare couples for marriagewhereas RF was originally designed to prepareunmarried fathers to reconnect with their childrenand families. However, a common purpose has emerged between the two fields. According to the U.S. Census, more than 2.5 million children areraised in families without their biological father. This statistic…
Easy-to-read basics to help couples to build a strong family. Includes relationship skills, healthy habits, marriage and paternity, and sources for help. Presentation slides on CD-ROM (2010) are available for purchase, allowing for easy presentation by your staff to clients. (Author abstract modified)
This is Strengthening Young Families' handbook for couples with a new baby, in easy-to-read Spanish. (Author abstract modified)
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Journal Article Coparenting has emerged as a central family process and relationship. However, a coparenting role may be unfamiliar and uncomfortable to many fathers. This study focused on fathers' perceptions of coparental support to better understand factors that may help fathers adjust to a new and challenging parental role. A conceptual model of coparental support was developed and tested on a sample of 2,062 fathers from the national Fragile Families and Child Well-being study to determine what father and mother characteristics were associated with fathers' perceptions of coparental support. Multigroup…
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Journal Article Fatherhood has traditionally been viewed as part of a "package deal" in which a father's relationship with his child is contingent on his relationship with the mother. We evaluate the accuracy of this hypothesis in light of the high rates of multiple-partner fertility among unmarried parents using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a recent longitudinal survey of nonmarital births in large cities. We examine whether unmarried mothers' and fathers' subsequent relationship and parenting transitions are associated with declines in fathers' contact with their nonresident biological…
