The NRFC Library is a collection of materials to build a knowledge base around fathers, fatherhood, and operating a Responsible Fatherhood program. It also houses all resources created by the NRFC, including fact sheets, PSAs, and past webinars.
Use the search options provided below to find resources that you are interested in.
This resource provides a form intended to help families document information necessary after an emergency.
Do you have something you think is appropriate for the library? While library staff scour various resources seeking items for the collection, it is not possible for staff to have access to all marriage and family-related resources.
This factsheet explores the relationship between father involvement and child gender. It reviews findings from research studies that indicate the gender of a child has important implications for father involvement, both the quantity and type of father involvement vary by gender, and this involvement may affect sons and daughters differently. Studies suggest that father-son relationships are stronger and involve more closeness than do father-daughter relationships; fathers differentiate between male and female children more so than mothers; fathers are more likely than are mothers to…
This factsheet explores the relationship between the characteristics of men's families of origin and their own marital relationships and involvement with their own children. It reviews findings from research studies that indicate both the current state of men's marriages and the nature of their involvement in their children's lives may be shaped to a significant degree by the relationship and parenting models fathers experienced in their families of origin. Studies suggest that characteristics of the family of origin influence the timing of men's transitions into fatherhood; marital…
This factsheet explores the relationship between social support and father involvement. It reviews findings from research studies that indicate fathers who report having high levels of social support experience better psychological well-being and demonstrate more positive patterns of father involvement and coparenting. Studies suggest spousal/partner support is positively associated with fathers' well-being; high levels of program support are associated with higher reports of fathers' parenting skills; fathers who report high levels of tangible or instrumental support report better well-…
This factsheet explores the relationship between father involvement and child disability. It reviews findings from research studies that indicate having a child with a disability may have important implications for fathers' well-being and involvement with their children. Research is cited that indicates having a child with a disability has adverse effects on fathers' well-being, while other studies are cited that have failed to support the idea that fathers of children with disabilities have lower levels of well-being than do fathers of typical children, and suggest that fathers may derive…
This factsheet explores the relationship between men's pregnancy intentions with the quantity and quality of fathers' later involvement with their children and partners, and for child well-being. Research is cited that indicates men who report that a partner's pregnancy was unintended are likely to exhibit lower levels and poorer quality of involvement with their children following birth. In addition, men's pregnancy intentions are associated with the quality of the father-mother relationship and with children's cognitive and socioemotional well-being. Studies suggest: men whose…
This factsheet explores the relationship between men's prenatal involvement and the quantity and quality of fathers' involvement with their children and partners following the birth. Research is cited that indicates men who are involved with their partners during pregnancy and around the time of birth are likely to exhibit higher levels and quality of involvement with their children following birth. In addition, prenatal involvement may hold benefits for fathers themselves. Studies suggest: fathers' prenatal involvement is significantly related to a higher quantity of involvement following…
This factsheet explores the impact of stepfather involvement on child well-being. Research is cited that indicates although stepfathers are generally less involved with children than are biological fathers, they can have positive impacts on child and maternal outcomes. Studies suggest: stepfathers are generally less involved with children than are resident biological fathers; stepfathers typically show low levels of positive demeanor toward children and are less likely to express positive feelings toward or be supportive of children; stepfathers are perceived as being less successful at…
Do you have something you think is appropriate for the library? While library staff scour various resources seeking items for the collection, it is not possible for staff to have access to all marriage and family-related resources.