A framework for defining the role of fathers must acknowledge the importance of commitment, the fact that not all fathers are married to the mother of their children, and responsibilities other than that of "breadwinner." This chapter describes four key dimensions of fathering identified from a review of social science, biological, historical, and theological literature: involvement, consistency, awareness, and nurturance. Involvement depends on the father's ability to be engaged with his children, as well as accessible and responsible for their daily needs. A father's level of involvement…
The mission of the Fatherhood Movement is to reestablish the relationships between fathers and their children that are necessary for a strong society. This book examines the reasons why contemporary fathers are not involved in family life from the historical, social, economic, and spiritual perspectives. Written by experts from a wide range of disciplines, the chapters recommend actions that can be taken by individuals, organizations, and government agencies to engage fathers and support their families. Topics include the development of the Fatherhood Movement, the importance of fathers, the…
This study examined the characteristics of caseworkers that affect their work with the birth fathers of children in kinship care. Fifty-four caseworkers were interviewed about case assessment procedures, permanency planning activities, service provision, frequency and content of contacts with the child and family, and consultations on 100 cases. Almost two-thirds of the caseworkers participating in the study reported that they had no contact with the father of the focus child during the previous six months. Only 2 percent of fathers were involved in the most recent case review and 6 percent…
Designed for parents, youth workers, and teachers, this book explores the complex interplay between the cultural forces that are molding and shaping the values, attitudes, and behaviors of youth. Section 1 discusses the characteristics of adolescents, how the Bible can help parents raising their children, and societal trends impacting adolescents. Section 2 describes how the media and music impact teens. Chapters explain how music molds adolescents, what the media is teaching teens, and how parents can lead their children through the maze of music and the media. The types of pressures…
Concerns about the increase in fatherless families and the negative effects on children led to calls for social change from politicians, several national commissions, and a variety of articles and books. By the end of the 1990s, there were indications that a fatherhood movement was being formed as conferences were sponsored by organizations at the national, state, and local levels. This chapter evaluates whether recent actions to promote fatherhood represent a social movement, in terms of the identification of a core idea, the broad appeal of the issue, the distinction of the movement from…
1. Getting to Know Today's Adult Child. 2. When Your Adult Child is Not Succeeding. 3. When the Nest Isn't Emptying. 4. When Your Adult Child Moves Home. 5. Major Hurdles to Independence. 6. Conflicts Over Lifestyle Issues. 7. Becoming an In-law and a Grandparent. 8. Meeting Your Own Needs. 9. Developing a Confident, Growing Relationship. 10. Leaving Your Child a Positive Legacy. Study Guide.
In this moving and immensely practical book, the bestsellling author of The Wonder of Boys explores the unseen problems and marvels of male adolescents, showing parents, teachers, and mentors how to shepherd boys through the challenging ages of ten to twenty.
With practical, step-by-step advice, therapist Michael Gurian helps parents and educators confront the most common moral and emotional dilemmas of adolescent boyhood. Gurian answers tough questions about the challenges boys face, exploring the hidden biology of the adolescent male, the development of his emotions and body, his…
You can be a good dad and a successful businessman by being the same person in both places. Daddy@Work shows you how openness and tenderness can work at the office and how your management and planning skills can work at home. As a young executive, Robert Wolgemuth discovered how work and home could become "graduate schools" for each other. This is the message of Daddy@Work: a successful man transfers skills in one sphere to the other, thereby improving them both.Whether you're a white- or blue-collar worker, whether a CEO or an… Edited by founder and chairman of the National Fatherhood Initiative Don Eberly, The Faith Factor in Fatherhood addresses the key role that religious institutions can play in reviving what Eberly calls the "sacred vocation of fatherhood." In response to the wider debate regarding the increased expectations that are being placed by policy makers on faith-based institutions to serve important public purposes, contributors to this volume guide denominations, places of worship, and religious social agencies to recover the role they once played in reaching and supporting young men with a message…
One of the most challenging goals for welfare reformers has been improving the collection of child support payments from noncustodial parents, usually fathers. Often vilified as "deadbeats" who have dropped out of their children's lives, these fathers have been the target of largely punitive enforcement policies that give little consideration to the complex circumstances of these men's lives. Fathers' Fair Share presents an alternative to these measures with an in-depth study of the Parents' Fair Share program. A multi-state intervention run by the Manpower Demonstration Research…
