Brief
Between July 1998 and October 1999, the Center on Fathers, Families, and Public Policy (CFFPP) held a series of colloquia that focused on the experiences of low-income fathers as they negotiate the systems of paternity establishment and child support enforcement. The meetings were attended by low-income, mostly never-married noncustodial fathers, caseworkers from community-based organizations who work with low-income, never-married noncustodial fathers, researchers, policy analysts, and poverty lawyers whose work has centered on low-income noncustodial fathers and their families. The…
This study was designed to explore possible differences between adoptive and biological fathers in terms of how much they enjoyed being involved in child care and child rearing activities with their young children. Anonymous questionnaires were returned by 85 adoptive and 98 biological first-time fathers with one child age three or younger. The results indicated that adoptive fathers derived greater enjoyment from their involvement in their children's lives than did biological fathers. Interestingly, the two most significant items were enjoy caring for a dependent human being and enjoy…
This executive summary describes the methodology used to investigate strategies States are using to promote responsible fatherhood and outcomes of the study. A demographic profile of fathers is provided that includes information on working fathers, father involvement in schools, and child support. Findings from the report indicate: 38 of the 45 responding States are engaging in current activities using public awareness to promote responsible fatherhood; 37 States sponsor one or more initiatives to help prevent unwanted or too-early fatherhood; 43 States use strategies to help fathers be…
This study measures the likelihood of incarceration among contemporary male youths from father-absent households, using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Hypotheses test the contribution of socioeconomic disadvantage, poverty, family instability, residential adults in father-absent households, as well as selection bias. Results from longitudinal event history analysis show that while certain unfavorable circumstances, such as teen motherhood, low parent education, urban residence, racial inequalities and poverty, are associated with incarceration among father-absent…
The Responsible Fatherhood Management Information System was designed by The Lewin Group to provide a mechanism for fatherhood demonstration programs to track participation. The system stores data about the characteristics of participants, services, outcomes, and costs. The elements can be customized to address the specific requirements of each program. This manual provides printed copies of data forms and instructions for using the system. Sample data entry screens and lists of data fields are included.
Since 1984 policy makers have increasingly turned their attention to reforming the childsupport system. Despite this attention, the child support system has often failed to increase theeconomic security of single-parent families. This article sythesizes findings from recent qualitative studies to explain why the child support system "breaks down" for so many low-income families. This research suggests that parents often prefer informal arrangements of support and do not comply with child support regulations they perceive to be unfair, counterproductive, or punitive. It also suggests that…
Brief
With interviews and live action, the film moves from cradle to grave, through the lives of over 50 American men and boys. From babies, baseball and boot-camp, to leaving home, starting new families and the passing of generations, Fathers & Sons is a portrayal of this core human relationship.
This report provides a review of the literature on fatherhood and factors that impact father involvement. It begins by examining the literature on father care activities and describing some of the variations in care that are linked to family and child characteristics. This research also includes studies centering on factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of fathers being involved in the care of their children. The review then focuses on fathers' status in families with attention given to four predominate father-child arrangements: married or cohabiting fathers in the same household…
This working paper explores the role of fathers and father-child relationships in the psychosocial development of adolescents by examining outcomes data from National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) files on children and mothers. The survey uses a number of measures to evaluate child development and well being; other characteristics of children and mothers; information about family structure and household makeup; family income, home environment, and other sociodemographic factors; as well as children's perceptions of their mother, father, and or/step father. The initial survey was…
Brief
This Policy Brief will summarize the "Children First Child Support Reform Act of 1999" and the "Fathers Count Act of 1999." Although these bills did not become law this legislative session, they are likely to be contended with in similar forms in future sessions. This brief is intended to clarify the actual provisions of each bill in order to facilitate a clear understanding of the specifics in future debates on such provisions. The "Children First Child Support Reform Act of 1999," sponsored by Senator Herb Kohl, was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance but was not acted on in…
