Getting back into regular contact with your kids after a long absence is a special challenge. Many men feel defeated by the past or discouraged because they haven’t kept up with their kids. However, fathers matter a lot to kids, even if they have been absent. Knowing who your father is and that he cares for you is crucial. Kids get part of their identity from their fathers. If the only thing they have is absence, they can imagine it’s their fault or that they didn’t measure up in some way. As the father, you can do things for your child that no one else can. Here are some things to keep in…
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Matthew Stagner, Executive Director of Chapin Hall, presented research that dispels the myth that low-income fathers are not involved with their children. Other panelists discussed characteristics of effective father engagement programs and how Georgia established a statewide fatherhood initiative that includes local programs and the cooperation of state agencies.
This InfoSheet presents research findings from the 2006 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study, What About the Dads? Child Welfare Agencies' Efforts to Identify, Locate, and Involve Nonresident Fathers, which was conducted by the Urban Institute with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Based on this research, it offers ways in which caseworkers can locate and work with fathers to get them involved with their children.
Until recently, the situation and capabilities ofunmarried parents, and unmarried fathers inparticular, were not well known. This infosheet presents findings from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, which helps to fill the gap in reliable data available to guide policies and practice relating to unmarried parents.
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Money Habitudes II is a simple but powerful tool to help young adults talk about money. This version is geared towards people age 18-25 and is typically used with the military, college students and young adults starting work and living more independently. The award-winning decks of cards are easy to use and provide new insights in a fun, game-like format. They can be used by professionals and non-professionals when working with individuals, couples or groups. Often used as an introductory exercise or icebreaker, they also work well as a standalone activity or as a module within a larger…
The second part in a 3-part series, this brief explains effective strategies for active listening between couples. The strategies include: use body language that signals that you are listening intently to your partner; after the speaker has communicated their point, pause to reflect on what has been said and replay in your own words what you believe the speaker tried to communicate; do not use restating your partner's communication as an opportunity to further state your point or voice a disagreement; and convey that you understand what has been communicated. A list of additional resources is…
The third part in a 3-part series, this brief explains common communication mistakes couples make including: criticism, sarcasm and cynicism, mounting a counter attack when feeling defensive, and engaging in the silent treatment. For each communication foul, an example is provided to illustrate the offending behavior and strategies are recommended for more effective communication. A list of additional resources is provided.
This fact sheet explores some common features of emotional cheating and offer strategies to avoid emotional cheating. It begins by defining emotional cheating as an intimacy between two people who are in a committed relationship to other persons and does not immediately include a physical relationship. Strategies for avoiding emotional cheating are then explained and include: save emotionally intimate conversation for your partner; set rules and expectations for your platonic friendship; be careful of online relationships and office relationships; and do not discuss intimate details about…
The sheet offers practical tips for guiding your program into the future, especially as many federal grants wind down. Managing the daily activities of a healthy marriage and relationship education (HMR) program can leave little time for thinking about the future. However, preparing for the future is a necessity for HMR programs interested in program sustainability. This tip sheet will: 1) define program sustainability 2) address important factors for achieving program sustainability and 3) provide guidance on how HMR programs can position themselves to carry on beyond the life of their…
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An increasing portion of lower class men have children in more than one relationship. These men, which I term dual fathers, are poorly understood by researchers. Based on 62 interviews with low-income fathers, this project elucidates the beliefs, behaviors, and fathering identities of dual fathers. I find that all low-income fathers tend to adapt a "father figure" rather than a "father" definition offathering responsibility. I also find that fathers tend to self-identify as responsible fathers, despitevarying definitions of responsibility. (Author abstract)
