For incarcerated fathers, prison rather than work mediates access to their families. Prison rules and staff regulate phone privileges, access to writing materials, and visits. Perhaps even more important are the ways in which the penal system shapes men’s gender performances. Incarcerated men must negotiate how they will enact violence and aggression, both in terms of the expectations placed upon inmates by the prison system and in terms of their own responses to these expectations. Additionally, the relationships between incarcerated men and the mothers of their children change,…
This ebook introduces you to a book that has the potential to help you have even more impact in your work with dads. The book is called The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact. Written by brothers Chip Heath and Dan Heath, the New York Times Bestseller draws on research about how to create meaningful, memorable experiences in the lives of individuals— others’ and even your own. The Heath’s point to four ways to create such experiences, what they call “defining moments”: 1. Elevation 2. Insight 3. Pride 4. Connection. A key concept to remember is that a…
In this report originally appear as a chapter in the book "Unequal Family Lives: Causes and Consequences in Europe and America" published by Cambridge University Press, Richard Reeves argues that we should care about family gaps because we care about poverty and inequality, and because we care about intergenerational mobility. Policy interventions may influence both of these, but more often aim at one more than the other. He argues for policies of two kinds with regard to family stability, applicable to the United States and most European countries: Prevention and mitigation. Preventing…
Fatherhood in America is changing. Today, fathers who live with their children are taking a more active role in caring for them and helping out around the house, and the ranks of single fathers have grown significantly in recent decades. At the same time, more and more children are growing up without a father in the home. The changing role of fathers has introduced new challenges as dads juggle the competing demands of family and work. Here are some key findings about fathers from Pew Research Center. (Author introduction modified)
Other, Fact Sheet
Have you ever wished that your child came with an instruction manual? Sesame Street Tool Kits are the next best things. They provide opportunities to build closeness and confidence, make learning fun, and keep your child's world safe and secure.Topics include: asthma, autism, divorce, finances, healthy habits, illness, incarceration, military families, school readiness, and more. (Author abstract modified)
Working with young men in groups can be a valuable way to create space for young men to focus on their identities as fathers. However, group work can be challenging to initiate and sustain. Community groups for young men who are fathers are quite resource intensive, which may pose challenges to the third-sector groups who run them, particularly as state provision is rolled back and the third sector is being required to enter that space. Skilled workers are integral to group work where positive role models need to be carefully facilitated and toxic aspects of masculinity challenged. This…
This set includes 21 tip sheets written to help service providers offer guidance to parents and caregivers on specific issues, while supporting factors known to protect families from the risk of child abuse and neglect. Each easy-to-read factsheet focuses on concrete steps parents can take to care more effectively for their children and strengthen their family.
Este conjunto incluye 21 hojas informativas escritas para ayudar a los proveedores de servicios a ofrecer orientación a los padres y cuidadores sobre asuntos específicos, al mismo tiempo que apoyan los factores conocidos de protección de las familias contra el riesgo del abuso y el abandono infantil. Cada hoja informativa de fácil lectura se enfoca en medidas concretas que los padres pueden tomar para cuidar más efectivamente de sus hijos y así fortalecer a sus familias. This set includes 21 tip sheets written to help service providers offer guidance to parents and caregivers on specific…
Visitation can be an important and meaningful experience for incarcerated parents and their children, but it can also be a source of stress and anxiety when parents’ or children’s expectations do not align with what ends up happening. Many aspects of visitation are outside of the control of an incarcerated parent, but there are things you can do to anticipate problems and reduce stress to make visitation a positive and beneficial experience for everyone involved. Below are things to consider when planning for a visit from your child. If you do not know the answer to a question, think about…
This tip sheet directs families to valuable resources to understand affordable housing and other available resources. (Author abstract)
