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.
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…
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 report presents data on parents with children whose other parent is not living with the family. It focuses on the child support income that custodial parents reported receiving during the calendar year prior to the survey, as well as other support provided, such as health insurance and noncash support. Because child support is frequently ordered until a child is 21 years old or completes college, this report specifically includes own children under 21, rather than the usual definition used by the Census Bureau of children under 18 years of age. Some children living with neither…
Many, if not most, foster children are living apart from their fathers at the time they are removed from their homes. Once removed, these children experience even less contact with their noncustodial fathers. The dearth of fathers in the lives of foster children is of mounting concern as efforts to expedite permanent homes for these children intensify and there is greater recognition of fathers' contributions to family stability and children's healthy development. Consequently, in recent years, legislative and policy changes affecting child support and child welfare have placed new emphasis…
Almost half (46%) of high school-aged teens in the United States have had sexual intercourse. Because of continued concern about teenage sexual activity and support for messages that encourage young people to delay sexual debut, where and when teens first have sex is a matter of interest to those who run programs for teens, to policymakers, and to parents. This "Science Says" research brief uses data from a recent national survey to examine the time and place teens first have sex and provides recommendations based on these findings. (Author abstract)
