The best interests of the child are not being served by court practices that severely restrict a father's access to his children. This book describes the negative consequences of father absence for children and outlines the benefits of joint custody arrangements. The chapters summarize psychiatric and psychological literature about the importance of both parents to child development and provide a history of the evolution of the family and family law. Children's rights and international law, injustice in the court system, and demographics are discussed. The book also provides a father's…
Despite increasing recognition of the role of fathers in the lives of their children, home visitors and child protection workers usually perceive men to be the source of problems and do not include them in their interventions with vulnerable children. Social work tends to marginalize fathers and avoid assessing their risks or benefits to the family. This book outlines theoretical justifications for the engagement of fathers in child protection work and suggests relevant practice strategies. Important concepts from attachment theory, feminist theory, and nursing theory are highlighted. The…
The increase in the proportion of children living in female-headed families implies that men's likelihood of living with their children has declined. However, this may understate men's coresidence with children as many female family heads live with other men, either with their fathers or in cohabitating relationships. Many of the absent fathers of children in female headed families live with children other than their own, such as their younger siblings or stepchildren. This paper examines patterns of coresidence with children under age 15 during the period 1880 to 1990 in the United States,…
Greater collaboration is needed between researchers, policymakers, and child welfare practitioners in creating social policies to foster improved parenting by fathers. This chapter examines ways policymakers and researchers have historically approached efforts to encourage responsible fathering, and the lack of systematic data from practitioners on the problems and issues they face with regard to fathers. Practice-derived research can provide greater insight into actual problems, as well as offer necessary data for policies aimed at providing solutions for families. Focus groups can help…
A survey of the fifty States and the District of Columbia on fatherhood initiatives identified 31 commissions, initiatives, and programs, 3 of which were inactive. This report provides a State-by-State profile of the different initiatives. The profiles include information on the development of the program, the mission, duties and responsibilities, meetings and reporting requirements, agency contact, and activities to date. Findings from the survey indicate several States reported that administration and implementation of all, or at least part, of their fatherhood activities were contracted to…
Children benefit greatly from the unique masculine approach that men bring to parenting. We can and must become nurturing dads through the Three A's - affection, affirmation, and attention. (Author abstract, modified).
This book describes 101 activities fathers can do with their children to foster self-esteem, self-reliance, and build character. Activities include a short, two-page description accompanied by a drawing and a fact or tip. Many of the activities involve a simple secret to do them successfully that can be passed on to children. Activities include finding the North Star, skipping rocks, making paper airplanes, tying a necktie, changing a spark plug, telling the temperature with a cricket, identifying things under a rock, buying properties in Monopoly, and other secrets.
This book provides African American parents with guidance for protecting their children from racist hostility while at the same time teaching children character and responsibility. It begins by explaining the following three key ingredients of effective discipline: stickin' to unconditional love and support, watchin' over by providing loving supervision, and gettin' with by providing loving confrontation and accountability. It then discusses myths about African American parents, the effects of racism, and integrating Black cultural style into parenting. Chapter 1 highlights the need for…
Designed for parents and caregivers, this book traces the development of children in their first three years of life and offers parenting strategies for fostering development. The first section focuses on infants from birth to 9 months. Information is provided on feeding issues, sleep issues, establishing routines, crying, temperament, play, learning, redirection and childproofing, and stranger awareness. The second section covers developmental milestones for toddlers ages 9-18 months and includes information on walking, setting limits and giving directions, biting, play, and separation…
Fathers play an important role in child development, whether or not they reside with their children. However, an increasing number of children from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds are growing up without a father in the home. The authors describe strategies that mental health and social work professionals can use to support the participation of noncustodial fathers in the lives of their children. Specific considerations for divorced fathers, nonresidential fathers who never married their children's mother, and teen fathers are highlighted. The text describes the emotional experiences…
