Marriage is disappearing as a cultural norm in America, with disastrous consequences for the social and economic stability that depend on it.That's the reality that Maggie Gallagher asks us to face-- and to change-- in this revealing look at marriage in America today. Artfully weaving poignant true-life accounts with sobering research findings, Gallagher shows how legal, cultural, and economic factors have combined to create a "post-marital culture" that punishes commitment to spouse and children, and rewards irresponsibility.Gallagher delivers a jolting wake-up call to political leaders and…
Every parent wants his or her daughter to become strong, confident, happy, healthy, and independent. Alarming statistics have shown the plunge in self-esteem that many girls experience around age 10 to 12. How can parents, teachers, and other role models prepare girls to become strong and creative as they grow? In Raising Strong Daughters, Gadeberg provides a variety of creative ideas to teach girls of any age the inner confidence, strength, and know-how needed to get ready for life. Each theme-focused chapter is brimming with practical hands-on ideas that can be woven into everyday…
The absence of a father can have a significant impact on children and contribute to problems such as juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and child poverty. This book explains why fatherlessness is increasing and argues that acceptance of new family structures is detrimental to the well-being of children and society. The author warns that the problem will continue to grow unless steps are taken to encourage men to become more committed to their families. He suggests that cultural attitudes must shift from individualism to interest in the good of society. Moral principles…
Research on intergenerational learning includes a range of studies that focus on the transmission of beliefs and practices and modeling of behaviors from generation to generation. This critical review focuses on the broader issues in intergenerational learning and the multiple, though small, streams of work that examine the impact of fathers' involvement in families. The discussion focuses on four areas: (1) intergenerational and life-course issues that have emerged over the past 25 years; (2) parental influences on children with special emphasis on parenting and grandparenting, parent-child…
Football, toy trains, Erector sets . . . most fathers can relate to having a son. But what's a dad to do when he's invited for imaginary tea? Robert Wolgemuth's She Calls Me Daddy relates all the wonderful times that are waiting to be had for fathers with some special little ladies-their daughters. Focusing on seven things every man should know about raising a girl, it concentrates on specific areas of growth to reveal what a father can do to ensure she becomes the woman she is meant to be. (Author abstract modified)
This book links fatherhood to the needs of our children to be prepared for life outside the comfort and safety of the family. It links fatherhood to essential and complementary contributions of mothers. It links fatherhood to specific types of problems experienced by children without fathers. Whether married, divorced or a teenage father-this book will affirm what you have felt all along---Children need to know and be known by their father. (Author abstract)
Tackling Single Parenting offers practical solutions to help single parents and their children be more effective, productive, and content in today's complicated and fast-paced society--from a man's point of view. Parenting techniques include: pointers that help maintain a positive outlook on life while tackling single parenting, information that helps children be more responsible and productive, tips for building self-esteem that provide power and courage for you, and your children, suggestions for building your financial security, suggestions for teaching virtues that help children learn to…
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Journal Article In 1994, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed an order dissolving the adoption of "Baby Richard" and returning the child to his biological parents after 3 1/2 years with an adoptive family. This decision prompted the Illinois General Assembly to make significant changes to the State's adoption laws. In an effort to secure the finality of adoptions, the legislature promulgated several new burdens on putative fathers. The author examines the problems faced by courts and legislatures across the United States in addressing the plight of thwarted putative fathers, analyzes the case and the new…
This conference presentation explores current patterns of public transfer receipt (such as earned income tax credit, public health insurance coverage, food stamps, and public assistance) among single-father families and provides an update on existing census-based research on characteristics of single-father families. Data were obtained from the March Current Population Surveys (CPS) for selected years from 1983 through 1995. Demographic characteristics, socioeconomic characteristics, and public transfer receipts were compared for three types of fathers: (1) married fathers; (2) single fathers…
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Journal Article Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, we investigate how fathers spend time with their children, what encourages them to do this, and the effects of fathers' time on children's academic achievement. We pay particular attention to the type of family structure that resident fathers and children share, and we find this to have an influence on both the activities that fathers engage in with their children and on children's grades. Both family structure and shared activities between fathers and their children are associated with children's academic achievement, but father…
