Video
This documentary, directed by John Badalament shows the stories of three men who grew up with abusive fathers and had to grapple with their own choices as intimate partners and fathers. (Author abstract, modified)
The National Center on Fathers and Families identified seven lessons that should be considered by policymakers and researchers concerned with the role of fathers in family life. This fact sheet provides a brief explanation of issues related to the diversity of ways in which fathers demonstrate care for their families, the value of father presence, the impact of joblessness on father involvement, and barriers created by the punitive nature of public policies. Other lessons focus on support for co-parenting, the developmental implications of fatherhood, and the influence of family culture on…
This InfoSheet includes 10 steps for involving fathers in the early literacy development of their children. (Author abstract modified)
This InfoSheet attempts to define what a "good father" is in terms of generative fathering, which is a is a way of looking at the role of fatherhood through a lens of asset-based development with a presumption that most fathers want to help the next generation to live a better life.
This InfoSheet seeks to aid organizations and agencies that want to add a father-specific program or a father-recruitment goal to their existing social serviceprogramming or educational calendar. (Author abstract)
For researchers, practitioners, and fathers themselves, the challenges facing low-income fathers are interrelated. If fathers are unemployed or underemployed, it is much harder to pay child support and maintain necessary health insurance for themselves and their families. Also, many low-income fathers are incarcerated, which makes it extremely difficult to provide financial support for their families. Upon reentry, their criminal records have a negative impact on their ability to find and hold jobs which, in turn, makes it more difficult to connect or reconnect with their children. These…
This study explored the role that fathers play in the language development of their children. Families were two-parent and middle social economic status. All families spoke English in the home. Children had been in child care since, on average, three months of age. Findings show that children, whose fathers' vocabularies were more varied when they were two, had greater language skills at age three. Mothers' vocabularies did not have a significant impact on children's language skills. Data indicate that parents' levels of education had a significant impact on children's language abilities. In…
An essential goal of youth league administrators and coaches is to foster within young players (and parents) an appreciation for the value and responsibilities of being on a team. This objective can be achieved by setting team-building goals to which every team member can aspire. This article discusses the value of good sportsmanship and how this helps children to develop community values and strong relationships. (Author abstract, modified)
Involved dads or other men are essential in a child's life. This fact sheet illustrates a few ways that men can develop a positive relationship with their children. Fact sheet adapted from the book Understanding Children by Richard Saul Wurman and Civitas, c2002.
Fathers are models to their children. Through your example, you provide a model of what fatherhood and manhood are all about and teach many lessons about life, relationships, and responsibility. It’s about how you treat other people, spend your time and money, and handle the joys and stresses of life. Even when children seem to be ignoring you, they are aware of how you conduct yourself. This resource provides tips for you to put being a good role model into practice.
