This brief highlights findings from research about the impact of father involvement on child development and well-being. The literature includes studies of intact families, as well as families in which children do not live with their father. In general, the research indicates that fathers can have a significant impact on cognitive development, academic achievement, and social development, especially when they participate in child care tasks and utilize a warm and nurturing parenting style. Child support is associated with positive cognitive, academic, and behavioral outcomes for children…
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Training Materials Support groups for children of substance abusing parents can alleviate risks for alcohol and drug abuse, as well as school and social problems. This packet of materials was developed to help substance abuse therapists establish treatment and education groups for the children of their clients. The developmentally appropriate program teaches children that they are not the cause of their parent's substance abuse and nurtures resilience through problem solving, safety planning, and support services. Materials include inservice guidelines, tools to engage parents and children in the program,…
More than 10 million children have had a parent in prison. These children often live with their remaining parent or another family member, or in foster care. Children of incarcerated women placed in foster care are subject to the termination of parental rights requirements of the Adoption and Safe Families Act. The act specifies that termination petitions be filed when children live in foster care during 15 of the previous 22 months. However, no provisions are made for incarcerated parents who cannot attain custody during the time limit. Research has found that parental stress contributes to…
This fact sheet discusses the influence fathers have on children's health habits. Two of the most important modeling behaviors fathers can provide are their own diet and exercise habits. A 1999 study by Child Trends concluded that, "the most serious threat to the health of American children is the behavior of their own parents." Other research has found that families whose fathers modeled and supported good eating habits tended to eat more meals together, watch TV less, and exercise more often.
Brief
According to a wide body of research, children with a high sense of self are more able to see themselves as they really are, and they make good decisions and cope positively with the frustrations and challenges of life. They are much less likely to become involved with drugs and alcohol, become sexually active, and do poorly in school. Here are some National Center for Fathering strategies to help fathers build their children's self-esteem: Give your child unconditional love based on who she is, not what she does. Express love over and over and over. Respect your child. Treat her feelings…
Brief
We have all been thirsty. Our specific memories may be very different, but that all-consuming desire for relief is the same. Children feel that same urgent desire to be with their dads in a close, caring relationship. They yearn for male guidance and leadership, but too often it isn't there, so many children are forced to go on playing the game of life with that desperate, all-consuming thirst. Sometimes the need for acceptance and belonging gets so strong that they will try anything to quench their thirst--gangs, drugs, sex, etc. But those only provide temporary relief and soon make the…
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Training Materials Used in 2004 and 2005 for single OEF and OIF troops, Military Life Skills provides important communication tools, and a heavy dose of techniques for managing anger (based on research of most effective, best practices, techniques), for managing difficult conversations with curious civilians, for seizing the opportunity to live life effectively in money matters and in dating wisely. While allowing for decompression from deployment, Military Life Skills gives practical situations for troops to relate to and provides practice in skills, before the troops do something that will not result in their…
Training Materials, Other
This educational program provides School Administrators, Educators and Caregivers information that assists and encourages them as they develop male recruitment and involvement programs. If you would like to enrich the lives of children in your care by involving men in your program, this video provides a practical guide for reaching this goal. Getting Men involved video explains challenges or recruiting men, strategies for successful male involvement and sights successful programs. (Author abstract)
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Training Materials Dads of Destiny is a training program designed by the National Center for Fathering to encourage and equip fathers in practical skills in order to strengthen their families. It was written for small groups of fathers which are started by an NCF-trained leader, and seeks to encourage fathers to practice their fathering skills and hold each other accountable. (Author abstract)
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Training Materials Week One: What Is Going On Here? Week Two: Assessing Your Fathering Heritage. Week Three: Involvement. Week Four: Consistency. Week Five: Awareness. Week Six: Nurturance. Wrap-Up and Celebration.
