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Journal Article This article discusses recent revisions in child support and paternity establishment legislation enacted under the 1996 welfare reform effort, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). It critically reviews recent studies on child support collection and literature from social service programs that focus on fathers whose children receive welfare. In doing so, it illuminates the ways in which the contemporary U.S. welfare state defines men's fathering. Many scholars of the U.S. welfare state have described the state's role in the (re)production of women's…
This revised edition of The Joy of Fatherhood is for today's dad, touching on timely and relevant subjects from pre-natal care through year one of being a dad. Whether detecting an infant's illnesses, assessing a baby's development, or learning appropriate play with the newest member of the family, author Marcus J. Goldman, M.D., takes a down-to-earth, month-by-month tour of the first year of daddy's new life. Written for dads by a dad, the author applies his fathering experience and medical knowledge to cover all of the basics--from changing a diaper to feeding your baby, from packing a…
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Journal Article The facilitation of a positive relationship between the children of abused women and the perpetrator of the violence is extremely complex in the light of the potential danger for women and children and the conflicting needs, interests, and rights of different family members. Nevertheless, social service agencies can no longer ignore the role of abusive men as fathers. Holding men accountable for their children's well being may, under certain conditions, contribute to the healthier emotional development of affected children. This article critically discusses this controversial issue by…
Data collected in longitudinal and cross-sectional studies of divorcing families were analyzed to provide an empirical basis for understanding the dynamics of divorced fathering. The research focused on the difficult circumstances of divorced fathers rather than on their defective characters. Findings revealed that fathers continue to visit their children and pay child support at high levels when they perceive that they retain some degree of paternal authority. The loss of this sense of paternal authority appears to occur, in part, because fathers perceive that the legal system and their…
This chapter clarifies the basic features of a sociological perspective and its applications to the study of fathers' involvement with, and influence on, their children. The analysis emphasizes the dynamic interplay between social structures and processes at the macro, meso, and micro levels while focusing on social psychological issues. The social, organizational, and cultural contexts for fathering are examined, as well as fathers' social capital contributions, the construction and maintenance of father identities, and fathering as a co-constructed accomplishment. These foci draw attention…
The Common Ground project brought together advocates, practitioners, and researchers who work primarily with low-income mothers and fathers, to develop and advance public policy recommendations to promote effective co-parenting relationships and ensure emotional and financial support for children. This first report focuses on issues surrounding the establishment of paternity. It begins by discussing paternity establishment before and after the passage of the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), the increase of children born to unmarried parents, and…
The last two decades have been marked by a series of social and policy developments that are changing both how men see themselves as fathers and how policies conceptualize and encourage their involvement in the lives of children and families. This paper focuses on several areas of intersection between research on fathers and policy. The paper first summarizes the research that led to the current political and social interest in fathers. The paper then describes the Fatherhood Initiative, a set of activities that stemmed from a 1995 memorandum from President Clinton. This Initiative led to…
Kyle's brief relationship with Danielle produces a baby--a responsibility Kyle refused to acknowledge. After attending a court-ordered program for young fathers, Kyle begins to see how important it is--to his daughter's development and to his sense of self-worth--that he become a responsible father. (Author abstract)
This booklet helps young men understand that acceptance of the responsibilities and joys of fatherhood is the best choice for all concerned. It addresses reasons some young men think it's okay not to be involved with their child, and offers tips on staying actively involved in a child's development, education, safety, and physical and emotional health. (Author abstract)
This booklet helps men fulfill their responsibilities as parents with insight into fair discipline, children's physical and emotional needs, maintaining good relations when they live apart from their children, and more. (Author abstract)
