This compendium includes contributions from international experts on the state of fatherhood across cultures, classes, economic systems, and family formations. It begins with a review of the evolution of the role of fathers in family life and research findings on the influences of fathers on children. Chapter 2 then analyzes the widespread belief that fathers' roles and patterns of influence on children's development are intricately linked to their masculinity, and Chapter 3 explores reasons why the concept of paternal involvement was originally conceived and operationalized and the…
Statistics from the 1997 and 2004 Bureau of Justice Statistics surveys on incarcerated parents and their children are shared. Findings indicate an estimated 809,800 parents of minor children were incarcerated in 2007, an estimated 1.7 million children had an incarcerated parent in 2007, and only 48% of parents in State prison had been living with their children. The impact of parental incarceration on children is discussed, as well as notable characteristics of parents in federal prison. 2 figures, 4 tables, and 17 references.
The evolution of the role of fathers in family life is described and findings on the influences of fathers on children are shared. Correlation studies on paternal influences, studies of father absence and divorce, research on involved fathers, and research on the pathways through which fathers affect their children directly and indirectly are discussed. Finally, social policies promoting the father-child relationship are addressed. 30 references.
This chapter explores reasons why the concept of paternal involvement was originally conceived and operationalized and the pressing need to understand paternal involvement differently in the future. A parental capital framework is offered for understanding the possible direct influences of paternal involvement and its components on child outcomes. Implications for research and practice are discussed. 107 references.
Fathers' responses to parenthood and to their infants, the processes by which infants become attached, and differences in the nature and impact of mother- and father-child relationships are explored. Factors that influence father-child interactions and relationships are discussed, as well as characteristics of father-child relationships and changes in the relationship from childhood to adolescence. Numerous references.
Data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study is analyzed and indicates less than one-fifth of unmarried couples had actually married by the time their child was 5 years old, nearly two-thirds of fathers are living away from their child after 5 years, and less than half saw their child more than once in the past month. Co-residence remained the most reliable correlate of paternal involvement. 4 tables and numerous references.
This chapter describes and refutes four prominent characterizations of low-income fathers as nonessential, deadbeat, perpetuators of their own childhood histories, and dissenters of marriage. Research findings are cited from interviews with 22 low-income fathers of preschoolers that found despite daily challenges, most low-income fathers were highly involved in the lives of their children. Numerous references.
This chapter reviews the connections between fathers' and children's psychopathology, provides an overview of fathers' involvement in mental health treatment, explores barriers that keep many fathers from becoming involved in mental health treatment, and examines factors that predict fathers' involvement in treatment. Suggestions are made for increasing fathers' involvement in clinical interventions. Numerous references.
This chapter reviews research findings, theoretical developments, and clinical interventions relating to fathers of children with developmental disabilities. Specific research findings on fathers of children with autism and research on fathers of children with other specific genetic syndromes associated with intellectual disability are discussed, and clinical and research implications are explored. Numerous references.
This chapter reviews the current policy and social context of fathers in the United States, the changing role of fathers and policies to support their involvement in Canada, effects of public policies on father involvement, and programs and new initiatives on father involvement. The Building Strong Families program and fatherhood initiatives in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs are highlighted. Numerous references.
