Brief
This brief shares research findings on juvenile delinquency, explores the association between juvenile delinquency and family structure, and discusses implications for marriage education programs. Statistics are reported from a 20-year longitudinal study that indicate boys who grew up without their biological father in the home were three times more likely to commit a crime that led to incarceration than children from intact families. Additional findings are discussed that found children of divorced parents are up to six times more likely to be delinquent than children from intact families…
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Journal Article A study was conducted of 51 Georgia offenders who were substance abusers and fathers to 130 children. Findings indicate that despite their lack of participation in hands-on fathering, offenders cited children as one of their biggest motivators for success upon release. The majority wanted to re-connect with their children and to become both a good role model and a meaningful part of their children's lives. 4 references.
Brief
This brief describes the work of Responsible Fatherhood, Marriage, and Family Strengthening Grants for Incarcerated and Re-Entering Fathers and Their Partners (MFS-IP) grantees in delivering programming in correctional facilities. The brief documents challenges faced by grantees, including logistical barriers, recruitment problems, and challenges retaining incarcerated fathers in programming. (Author abstract)
A curriculum that is relevant, timely, and realistic is essential for helping you structure your work with fathers in correctional settings. However, because of the variety of curricula available to fatherhood program practitioners, choosing an appropriate curriculum for the fathers you serve can seem overwhelming. For professionals working with dads in prisons, jails, halfway houses, and other correctional settings, investing time to identify and use an effective curriculum will produce tremendous long-term benefits both for participants and the program. This brief provides the steps to…
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Journal Article We investigated children and families who were participating in a mentoring program targeting children with incarcerated parents. Using multiple methods and informants, we explored the development of the mentoring relationship, challenges and benefits of mentoring children with incarcerated parents, and match termination in 57 mentor-child dyads. More than one-third of matches terminated during the first 6 months of participation. For those matches that continued to meet, however, children who saw their mentors more frequently exhibited fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In…
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Journal Article Reasons behind fathers' lack of involvement in their children's lives, especially children involved in the child welfare system, are explored, as well as strategies caseworkers can use to involve fathers in child welfare cases. Strategies are discussed for contacting fathers, using a team effort to engagement, developing creative visits between father and child, and supporting quality time. Additional techniques to use with military, incarcerated, and out-of-area fathers are explained. 8 references.
For a variety of reasons, many dads do not see their children on a regular basis. As a result, they often have to redefine their roles and responsibilities as a father. Incarcerated dads have extraordinary challenges to keeping track of their children's development and activities. Nevertheless, incarcerated dads across the country are improving the quality of their relationships with their children just by starting with a little inspiration, mixing in some imagination, and adding a lot of love. This Spotlight highlights several creative ways that incarcerated dads have used to stay connected…
For a variety of reasons, many dads do not see their children on a regular basis. As a result, they often have to redefine their roles and responsibilities as a father. Incarcerated dads have extraordinary challenges to keeping track of their children's development and activities. Nevertheless, incarcerated dads across the country are improving the quality of their relationships with their children just by starting with a little inspiration, mixing in some imagination, and adding a lot of love. This Spotlight highlights several creative ways that incarcerated dads have used to stay connected…
This Web site contains a collection of fact sheets in PDF format from the NCSL's publication Connecting Low-Income Fathers and Families: A Guide to Practical Policies . The topics are:* Low-Income Fathers* Services for Fathers* Collaboration* Financing Fatherhood Programs* How Child Support Affects Low-Income Fathers* Prevention* Incarcerated Fathers
Brief
Little is known empirically about the implications of parental incarceration for children. This policy brief summarizes research examining the effects of paternal incarceration on several measures of children's school readiness, identifies circumstances that increase or mitigate children's risk, and identifies family processes that mediate incarceration's effects, presenting opportunities for policy and service intervention. (Author abstract modified)
