The passions surrounding the public discourse about the effects of father absence inhibit an objective analysis of the well-being of children in a variety of single-parent situations. This chapter presents data from several national studies about risk factors for children in different living arrangements. The statistics indicate that problems such as dropping out of high school and teen pregnancy exist in two-parent, as well as single parent families. Outcomes also vary according to family characteristics and do not necessarily reflect common assumptions about the disadvantages faced by…
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This report describes fatherhood programs identified as exemplary by the members of the National Governors' Association in 1998. Thirty-nine governors cited services for low-income, noncustodial fathers; parenting skills training programs; public awareness campaigns; state fatherhood commissions; comprehensive funding streams; and premature fatherhood prevention. These programs promote father involvement as a strategy for the prevention of poverty, school problems, early sexual activity, substance abuse, and youth violence. They range from employment-related services to parent training for…