The father's role in child development and in the etiology of child maltreatment is examined in the context of families with absent fathers. Child maltreatment is defined, including subtle forms of emotional abuse and neglect, with an emphasis on the importance of the father's function in the family, which is generally ignored in the child abuse literature. The causes and consequences of paternal neglect or absence are contrasted with those of effective fathering. Not only do fathers have an influence--positive or negative--on how their children grow up, but they can affect the mother's…
This manual describes the Teen Parent Program in Cleveland, which specializes in helping teenage parents with nurturing and coping skill problems. Many teenage parents are themselves abused or neglected as children, and they perpetuate the same upbringing on their own children. Through a self-help and volunteer support concept of service, this program helps teen parents to cope with the demands of parenthood; provides support mechanisms through a peer support group, volunteer advocates, and a crisis hotline; teaches parenting and coping skills with the hope of preventing child abuse and…
These standards, issued by the Child Welfare League of America, present guidelines for best practice with pregnant adolescents and young parents. The standards describe comprehensive community-based service delivery systems, social work services, health services, and residential services. Recommendations are provided for comprehensive service systems, roles of the child welfare agency, social work services needed during pregnancy, marriage counseling, adoption services, social work services for young parents and their child, medical care, foster family care, and group living facilities. The…
