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Journal Article Past research suggests that maternal and paternal parenting processes differentially contribute to children's adjustment. However, the contribution of paternal warmth and responsiveness, to childhood attachment security is less understood, especially beyond the preschool years. The current study examined relations between parenting and attachment among 236 families with children in kindergarten. Parental warmth was virtually unrelated to attachment security and avoidance with mothers and fathers, while paternal and maternal responsiveness to children's emotional distress were uniquely…
Just as little gestures and quick compliments can have a tremendous positive influence on a child's life, so too can small actions bring about a significant impact on household expenses and the environment we share with our children. You don't need to make dramatic adjustments in your day-to-day behavior to see results. By starting with easy-to-do changes at home, you have the opportunity to keep more money in your pocket -- or spend some of your savings on a fun activity with your kids -- while you help protect the quality of the environment we'll leave to the next generation. (Author…
Whether you take to the field (or local park, back yard, or driveway) or just huddle on the sofa in front of the TV, sharing the fun of football game day is a great way to spend time with your children. From tots to teens, kids will benefit from being part of a family team whose quarterback is an active, interested, and supportive dad. If your goal is to build or strengthen a healthy, positive relationship with your children, enjoying football can give you a common turf and opportunities for interaction and simply being together.Don't be sidelined by not knowing football's fundamentals. This…
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Journal Article In-depth semi-structured interviews with 30 parents of children living with relatives in informal kinship care arrangements revealed the parents' views of the reasons for the informal kinship care arrangements, quality of their relationships with the children and their caregivers, their current and future roles in their children's lives, feelings experienced when with and away from the children, positive and negative aspects of kinship care, future goals and dreams for their children, and their assessments of their own strengths and challenges. Results of these interviews suggest several…
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Journal Article In this analysis, we explore how low-income African American fathers build understandings of successful manhood in the context of community-based responsible fatherhood programs. Drawing on life history interviews with 75 men in Illinois and Indiana, we explore men's attempts to fulfill normative expectations of fatherhood while living in communities with limited resources. We examine the efforts of community-based fatherhood programs to shape alternative African American masculinities through facilitation of personal turning points and "breaks with the past," use of social support and…
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 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…
As described in earlier articles, children whose parents have higher income and education levels are more likely to grow up in stable two-parent households than their economically disadvantaged counterparts. These widening gaps in fathers' involvement in parenting and in the quality and stability of parents' relationships may reinforce disparities in outcomes for the next generation. This paper reviews evidence about the effectiveness of two strategies to strengthen fathers' involvement and family relationships-- fatherhood programs aimed at disadvantaged noncustodial fathers and relationship…
