http://www.zenit.org/article-20902?l=english
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
4 November 2007 - ZE07110401
Reports Show Children Need Presence of Both Parents
By Father John Flynn, LC
Rome, 4 November 2007 (Zenit.org).- Children need more than ever the
presence and guidance of fathers in family life. According to a recent
collection of essays, a significant body of scientific research clearly
documents the vital role a father plays in the formative years of a child's
life.
The book is titled "Why Fathers Count: The Importance of Fathers and Their
Involvement with Children" (Men's Studies Press). Sean E. Brotherson and
Joseph M. White, the editors and authors of the first chapter, set the tone
for the book with an overview of arguments regarding the importance of
fathers for children. The presence of a father has a positive impact in
many ways, they note, as children with fathers have fewer behavioral
problems, obtain better academic results, and are economically better off.
Brotherson and White also clarified that they do not in any way wish to
minimize the contribution made by mothers to family life. In fact, they
stated, both parents count: fathers and mothers. Nevertheless, as
statistics amply confirm, there has been a marked increase in fatherless
families in recent decades, hence the book's concentration on fathers.
Rob Palkovitz, a professor at the University of Delaware, dedicated a
chapter on the theme of men's transition to fatherhood. Men can become
fathers in a biological sense, he noted, and yet not always make the
psychological and behavioral adjustments needed to embrace the role of
fathering.
Being a father, Palkovitz explained, carries a different type of
responsibility to that of a husband and requires an additional commitment.
This change will affect a man's choices, behavior and priorities in
everyday life. This takes time, and fathering is a role that men gradually
grow into.
The transition to fatherhood, he continued, is a monumental turning point
in a man's life. If men are willing to undertake this relationship with
their children, it is among the greatest changes in a man's life and
development as a person, Palkovitz concluded.
The marriage factor
The relationship between spouses and its impact on fathers was examined in
a chapter authored by University of Arkansas professor, H. Wallace Goddard.
When couples have a strong relationship they can use their differences to
complement each other, and draw on each other's strengths, and there is a
much greater likelihood that both mother and father will be good parents,
he argued.
Goddard also noted that in many ways the contemporary dating culture does
little to prepare future couples for the commitment needed to nurture and
protect a marriage. A culture that overemphasizes romance and quick fixes,
he pointed out, does little to prepare couples for the inevitable difficult
periods that every marriage goes through.
Brotherson, from North Dakota State University, examined what he termed
"connectedness" in the relationship between fathers and children. This
connecting involves the building of a bond over time that is more than just
the love a parent has for a child, but also the degree to which a child
perceives this love and acceptance.
The connectedness, Brotherson added, is developed in the details of loving
another person and the trust and closeness that develops in that relationship.
Citing various research sources on family life, Brotherson went on to
explain that the more connection a child feels with his parents the more
likely he or she is to trust others and enjoy stable relationships with
peers and adults outside home. A close-knit family relationship is also
more effective in protecting children from problems such as depression,
suicide, precocious sexual activity or drug use.
The final part of the chapter offered suggestions for fathers on how they
can connect with their children. Brotherson recommended playing together
with children, and also helping them in their education. Being available to
comfort them in times of need, expressing affection, and a shared spiritual
activity such as praying together were among other points mentioned.
Paternal love
Academics Shawn Christianson and Jeffrey Stueve wrote about the importance
of a father's love for their children. The majority of social science
research, they maintained, does not recognize sufficiently the bond parents
form with children in their loving and caring of them. Not only is there
little mention of love in family theory, but many contemporary theories
focus on self-interest.
A father's love for his children is often expressed in the sacrifices they
make, whether in times of crisis or just in the everyday choices of family
life. Obviously some fathers fail to take responsibility for their
children, Christianson and Stueve acknowledged. At the same time, however,
many do cooperate with their wives in raising their child.
Most research in this area has been done on fathers of younger children. It
has shown that fathers are indeed capable of being sensitive to a child's
needs and can show affection.
Defining fatherly love is not easy, Christianson and Stueve noted. One way
to do so is to demonstrate the way in which a father is present in a
child's life, helping out in physical, emotional, social and spiritual
needs. The sharing of time, activities, conversation and self, means a
constant support that children perceive as being enduring in their lives.
Vicky Phares and David Clay, respectively a professor and doctoral student
at the University of South Florida, delved into the influence of fathers on
the psychological well-being of children. They point to three main styles
of parenting: authoritative, authoritarian and permissive.
Guidance
Phares and Clay explained that fathers whose parenting style is
authoritative - combining control with warmth and regard - are more likely
to have children who feel secure and demonstrate good mental health.
Another influential factor is the emotional availability of fathers. Being
engaged in a child's life, and responsive to emotional needs, is important
in the healthy development of children and adolescents.
The role of fathers in the moral development of their children was pondered
by Terrance Olson and James Marshall, respectively from Brigham Young
University and the University of Kansas.
Having a moral influence is manifested in varying ways, they pointed out.
It can be something as simple as keeping promises made to a child, or
putting certain boundaries by making clear which behaviors are acceptable
and which are not.
In this sense, while it is true that the quantity of time fathers devote to
their children is important, it is also vital how a father reacts to a
child's needs and behavior. The personal example a father gives, and how
they teach their children to treat others in the community, are additional
opportunities for teaching. In this way fathers have many possibilities to
transmit attitudes and values to their children and teach them the
implications of moral responsibility.
Benedict XVI continued his frequent commentaries on the importance of
families in his Sept. 13 address to the new Slovak ambassador to the Holy
See, Jozef Dravecky.
"The family is the nucleus in which a person first learns human love and
cultivates the virtues of responsibility, generosity and fraternal
concern," the Pontiff commented.
"Strong families are built on the foundation of strong marriages. Strong
societies are built on the foundation of strong families," the Pope
continued. He then urged that governments acknowledge, respect and support
marriage, in which a man and a woman join together in a lifelong
commitment. An undertaking indeed vital for the flourishing of future
generations.
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http://www.meridianmagazine.com/books/070126fathers.html
Meridan (Mormon website)
Welcome to the on-line introduction of our new book, Why Fathers Count: The
Importance of Fathers and Their Involvement with Children. We have agreed
to have some portions of this book serialized on Meridian Magazine each
month during 2007. We hope that the material shared will enrich your
understanding of men, family life, and the important contributions of
fathers and father figures to children, families and communities. We
intend to focus on sharing fresh insights and practical tips on fathers,
parenting and family life in the articles we select. We also encourage you
to head on over to our on-line page where you can order individual copies
of the book by clicking here.
We begin with an introduction: How did we end up writing and editing a
book on fathers and family life with a total of 38 contributing authors.
anyway?
An Introduction to Why Fathers Count
When Jim Doyle, the publisher of Men's Studies Press, picked up the phone
and called us about doing a book on the importance of fathers in the lives
of children and families, it was a leap of faith. We had never met. We were
(and still are) two young, unknown family scholars located in the obscure
upper Midwest in the United States.
We were already relatively busy with research projects, work
responsibilities, family relationships, and other life projects. Jim's call
was a bolt from the blue, and yet that call initiated an opportunity and a
continuing desire to make available a clear, compelling case for why
fathers count in the lives of children and families and to make that case
to an important general audience, one that goes beyond the ivory tower.
Making the case for why fathers count from an empirical, statistical
perspective is fairly easy. The data overwhelmingly demonstrate the
positive impact fathers have when they are involved in the lives of their
children and the negative outcomes when fathers are absent. Many of these
findings will be discussed throughout the book.
Making the case for responsible fatherhood from a political perspective is
also fairly easy. The most prominent political leaders in the United States
have recognized the importance of this issue. The social concern over
fatherhood, in fact, led former President William J. Clinton to authorize a
1995 executive order in which he instructed all federal departments and
agencies to review their programs "that pertain[s] to families to ensure"
those programs would "seek to engage and meaningfully include fathers." [i]
This attentiveness to supporting fathers' roles in family life elevated the
issue and prompted greater awareness of the need for encouraging
responsible father involvement. Further, in an address at the National
Fatherhood Summit in 2001, President George W. Bush articulated a clear
perspective on fathers:
"Nearly every man who has a child wants to be a good father, I truly
believe that. It's a natural longing of the human heart to care for and
cherish your child. But this longing must find concrete expression. Raising
a child requires sacrifice, effort, time, and presence.
"And there is a wide gap between our best intentions and the reality of
today's society. More than one-third of American children are living apart
from their biological fathers. Of these, five out of six do not see their
fathers more than once a week. And 40 percent of the children who live in
fatherless households have not seen their fathers in at least a year.
"Some fathers are forced away by circumstances beyond their control. But
many times when a couple with children splits up, the father moves away or
simply drifts away. We know that children who grow up with absent fathers
can suffer lasting damage. They are more likely to end up in poverty or
drop out of school, become addicted to drugs, have a child out of wedlock,
or end up in prison. Fatherlessness is not the only cause of these things,
but our nation must recognize it is an important factor." [ii]
The gap between "our best intentions and the reality of today's society" is
genuine, but too great a focus on the problems in family life can leave us
without energy to pursue necessary solutions. Attentiveness to the broad
scope of the issue is required. President Bush went on to say:
"There is a familiar litany that behind every statistic is a child, and a
compassionate society can never forget the large place a father occupies in
that child's life. Children look to their fathers to provide — even
imperfectly — and nurture protection, provide discipline and care, guidance
and, most importantly, unconditional love. Fathers are the object of a
young child's admiration.
"The absence of a father can shatter a child's world. One 14-year-old girl
put it this way: "My father left me when I learned to say "daddy." Even
though my father is not around, in my heart he's always there. Every
birthday, every Christmas, I cross my fingers in hopes that my father will
come home. Does my wish come true? No. But I never quit looking and hoping."
"When children quit looking and stop hoping, something terrible happens to
them, and to us. Over the past four decades, fatherlessness has emerged as
one of our greatest social problems." [iii]
It was clear to us that continued attentiveness to understanding and
encouraging responsible and caring father involvement is important.
Deciding how to make the case for why fathers count to a diverse, general
audience, however, proved interesting and challenging.
After a good deal of conversation and a flurry of e-mail activity, we
launched the project and set sail for distant shores. We hope this brief
introduction will serve as an outline of our journey and an invitation into
your own voyage of discovery about fathers and fathering. While our main
qualification for editing this volume was enthusiasm, we also were guided
and gifted by four other elements that we felt would make this book a
meaningful contribution.
First, we have a personal and professional passion for the topic of
fathering. We sincerely think that healthy, caring, and involved fathers
are the most important and untapped resource in the world today.
Second, we believe in people and what they can bring to such a book. We
felt that, if given the opportunity, a wide range of scholars, community
professionals, and family practitioners would respond to the opportunity to
share their vision of how fathers make a meaningful difference in specific
areas of family life. We were not disappointed.
Third, we have a profound respect for parenting and its importance not only
for families but for society. Whether parenting is done by a mother or a
grandfather or a caring teacher; in a family of Mexican, Anglo, or Hawaiian
ancestry; on a rural farm or in an urban city — it is of vital importance.
As children of caring parents, as parents ourselves, and as observers of
parenting in family life, we think parenting ought to be greatly
appreciated, that its importance should be examined and better understood.
And fourth, we are confident in the promise of such a book, in the belief
that we could harness the collective insight and wisdom of many
contributors to paint anew a vision of the importance of fathers in family
life. Ideas are powerful, so we started with one idea: fathers make a
difference.
Exploring the Terrain of Fathering
It can be surprising how difficult the task of articulating and agreeing
upon a basic vision for an edited book such as this can be. In the early
stages, we talked and planned and outlined and started over again, stuck on
the initial question of what we wanted to accomplish.
Did we need to define the boundaries of responsible fatherhood and healthy
father involvement? Did we wish to document the ongoing academic
investigation of fathers in family life? Did we want to enter the sometimes
vociferous debate about the roles of men in contemporary society and family
life? These and other questions shaped our discussions, but in the end, we
agreed that ours was a voyage of discovery more than anything else. Most of
all, we wanted to explore the worlds and experiences of fathers and those
who work or live with them and to invite others to journey along with us.
One of the first and most important questions we settled early on was
whether a journey of exploration into the worlds of fathering was worth
taking in the first place. After all, there are those who think and write
about fathers from a perspective of skepticism. In other words, they wonder
aloud whether fathers are genuinely important and question the emphasis on
father involvement.
These are important questions that deserve consideration, and we have dealt
with them in our own scholarly work elsewhere. [iv] However, for this
project, we were less interested in an "ivory tower debate" about the
legitimacy of father involvement and much more interested in a learning
dialogue about the contributions of fathers to family and community life.
As fathers ourselves, it struck us that our relationships with our own
children do not begin with a question about whether we are important in
their lives. Instead, interactions with our children consistently engage
and challenge us to make meaningful and lasting differences in their lives.
In other words, this journey does not focus on the question of whether
fathers make a difference, but instead it begins with the assumption that
fathers and father figures do make a difference, and we are on an
expedition to learn how and why. To us, this is the important and logical
next step in exploring the terrain of fathering since we have determined
there is sufficient evidence for the importance of father involvement to
warrant making such a journey.
In developing a book focused on the topic of why fathers count in the lives
of children and families, we wished not only to identify fathers'
contributions but explore their experiences, share their voices, highlight
key principles, provide ideas and insights, and suggest best practices
related to fathers and family life. We wanted not only to facilitate an
understanding of fathers, but to also encourage better fathering and
improved efforts to engage and support fathers in family life.
Alan Hawkins and David Dollahite, two family scholars, have previously
suggested that "a perspective of fathers as generally deficient in their
paternal role is not the best place to begin to understand and encourage
better fathering." [v] We agree with this sentiment. We have thus sought to
develop a focused collection of articles centered on the assumption that
fathers can and should be meaningfully involved with their children and
families.
In the process of recruiting contributors for this book, we asked potential
authors to explore their particular area of expertise or special content
area with an emphasis on the importance and value of meaningful father
involvement in that context. We asked them to provide examples of how and
why fathers made a difference in their given area, examples that were
practical and personally relevant or that came from their research experience.
We also wanted relevant suggestions that scholars, practitioners, fathers,
and families themselves could use in personal and professional settings.
Finally, we asked that each chapter essay be addressed not solely to an
academic audience but to the broader community of interested readers who
would like further information and insight on the specific topic of how and
why fathers are important in the lives of children and families.
Objectives and Content of Why Fathers Count
What did we hope to accomplish with this book? After considering whether to
pursue a "Universal Handbook of Fatherhood" that would address everything
from Caribbean fathers to fathers in contemporary literature, we opted to
focus more on conceptual simplicity and address central elements of
fathers' experiences with their children and families.
These elements include:
1. relationships and relationship processes;
2. domains of development; and
3. contexts of influence, involvement and support.
Each chapter written for this volume addresses certain dimensions of the
fathering experience, many of which are common across family relationships
and some that are unique. As mentioned, we chose to focus generally on
aspects of fathering experience that are common to most or all fathers, and
asked contributors to construct their chapters to be informative,
insightful, and practical. A few of the many topics addressed in detail
include:
* The vital importance of healthy father involvement to the future of our
children, families and society;
* Becoming a father and the transition to parenthood;
* Fathers and mothers working together in family life;
* Fathers and marriage in family life;
* Keys to healthy father-daughter relationships;
* Building parent-child connections between fathers and children;
* Play and its importance in fathers' involvement with children;
* Reading, family relationships, and father involvement;
* Fathers and the moral development of children;
* Spiritual development of children and fathers' guidance;
* Fathers' involvement with children following divorce or separation;
* How fathers make a difference in a child's school achievement and learning;
* Religious influences on fathering and family life;
* A father's leadership and service in the home setting;
* The "fun and frolic" of fathers parenting at home.
The Fathering Journey
We strongly believe fathering must be understood and acknowledged as a
developmental journey in the life of a man. Men enter into the experience
of fatherhood at differing points in time and through varying passages.
Some men become fathers in less than ideal circumstances; some come to
fatherhood by marrying and having a child with a woman they love; some
enter fatherhood by taking on the role of stepfather; and some become
father figures in the lives of children they love as uncles, grandfathers,
mentors, teachers, or other caring figures.
Healthy fathering can benefit children, but it also tends to act as a
balancing experience for men and can aid them in developing into more
mature, sensitive, and caring individuals.
As we have explored the fathering journey, we have been led to see the
experiences of men, women, and children in family life from new vantage
points and fresh perspectives. We have been led to consider the critical
role that mothers play in facilitating father involvement and the dance
steps that occur as fathers raise their daughters.
We have learned how fathers can affect children by playing on the floor or
shaping a child's moral thinking. We have more deeply understood how race
or a life behind bars can influence a father's outlook and experience. We
have come to see how fathers can contribute to family life through
harmonizing work and family experiences, volunteering as a mentor in the
community, or engaging in servant leadership at home. All this has guided
us on this learning journey of fathers' influence in many areas of life. It
is our hope that you, too, will enjoy this journey and grow in your
understanding of why fathers count. We hope it will add to your personal
and professional life experience in new and unexpected ways. We hope you
enjoy the voyage.
Sean welcomes your comments at brotherson@meridianmagazine.com
Endnotes
[i] Clinton, W. (1995). Memorandum for the heads of executive departments
and agencies: Supporting the roles of fathers in families. Washington, DC:
The White House.
[ii] Bush, G. W. (2001). Remarks by the President to the Fourth National
Summit on Fatherhood. Washington, DC: The White House.
[iii] Bush, G. W. (2001). Remarks by the President to the Fourth National
Summit on Fatherhood. Washington, DC: The White House.
[iv] Brotherson, S. E., Dollahite, D. C., & Hawkins, A. J. (2005).
Generative fathering and the dynamics of connection between fathers and
their children. Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice
[v] Hawkins, A. J., & Dollahite, D. C. (1997). Beyond the role-inadequacy
perspective of fathering. In A. J. Hawkins & D. C. Dollahite (Eds.),
Generative fathering: Beyond deficit perspectives (pp. 3-16), at 3.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications
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http://www.meridianmagazine.com/books/070213fathers.html
Meridian (Mormon website)
Authors' note: Welcome to the first portion of Chapter 1 in our new book,
Why Fathers Count: The Importance of Fathers and Their Involvement with
Children. We have agreed to have some portions of this book serialized on
Meridian Magazine each month during 2007. We hope that the material shared
will enrich your understanding of men, family life, and the important
contributions of fathers and father figures to children, families and
communities. We intend to focus on sharing fresh insights and practical
tips on fathers, parenting and family life in the articles we select. We
also encourage you to head on over to our on-line page where you can order
individual copies of the book, at http://www.whyfatherscount.com.
We begin with an exploration of a key question in society: Do fathers
really matter in the well-being of children and families in today's world?
A Generation at Risk
Fatherless America! thundered the title of a provocative book, followed by
the subtitle's pressing tone: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social
Problem.[i] The most urgent social problem in the United States today,
according to some scholars, is the increasing number of fathers who either
are not in the home or are ineffective parents while at home.
A variety of studies, publications, and social programs in recent years
have focused attention on the issue of fathering. [ii] Efforts to encourage
better fathering have been underway in this country for some years due to
such social concerns, resulting in hopeful appraisals of the "new father"
or the "androgynous father."
However, it has been pointed out that the "conduct of fatherhood" does not
necessarily keep pace with the "culture of fatherhood," [iii] and the
efforts to create a culturally ideal father are not always exemplified by
real fathers.
One limitation of efforts to re-engineer the role of fathers has been that
they often arise from a "deficiency model of men," a perspective that
emphasizes men's deficiencies in fulfilling a socially defined father role.
[iv] And yet it is men's strengths — their capacity to care, protect and
give — that are needed by children, women, and men themselves.
In a culture that questions the value of men in family life, we need a
fresh perspective on what men can contribute to their families and
communities as well as insight into the ways in which fathers and father
figures make a meaningful difference.
Why is fathering an important issue on the nation's agenda? How did we get
to a point in history when fathering is consuming a large portion of the
debate over child well-being? Perhaps because, as one researcher has written:
Increasingly, more children do not live with their fathers, relate to their
fathers on a regular basis, or enjoy the economic support of their fathers.
In my view, this situation is a rending of the moral fabric of family life
and thus of society as a whole, as a generation of men fail to engage in
responsible generativity toward the next generation. [v]
Because children are largely dependent on caring adults for their support
and well-being, the question of how adults are responding to the needs of
the coming generation is critical for communities. William Doherty's
assessment that the current situation is "a rending of the moral fabric of
family life and thus of society as a whole" is a serious charge.
Two leading family scholars, Paul Amato and Alan Booth, have examined
family upheaval in America and titled their book on the subject A
Generation at Risk.[vi] Are future generations of Americans truly at risk
due to the concerns that exist about fathers in family life?
Erik Erikson, the pioneering developmental psychologist, asserted in his
work that caring for the next generation is among the most profound
responsibilities that rest upon humanity. It seems, then, that we should be
very concerned about fatherhood and the future of our children.
Fatherhood and the Future of Children
In addressing the issue of fatherhood and the future of our children, it is
challenging to settle on the best approach to engaging others with the
issue. We could present a deluge of statistics from research-based studies
that provide evidence of fathers' positive contributions to child
well-being and the negative consequences that can occur due to father
absence or lack of involvement. We might work on an attention-getting media
campaign that splashes images of fathers in family life across magazines,
television screens, and the Internet. We could offer a menu of programs and
policy prescriptions designed to lower barriers to father involvement and
strengthen men in their efforts to be responsible and committed as fathers.
Yet, and perhaps most important, we could simply capture and communicate
the simple idea that a father counts in the life of a child.
There is nothing quite as powerful as a good idea. There is nothing quite
as compelling as the smile of a baby, the outreached arms of a toddler, or
the laughter and love of a teenage son or daughter to kindle love in the
heart of a father. Too many men, however, have learned to limit their
responses to a child's love, and too many children have faced life without
the loving arms of a father to guide, nurture, and protect them.
More must be done to address the issue of fatherhood and the future of our
children. Therefore, we hope that one of the contributions of this book
will be its ability to communicate the power of a father's love in the life
of a child.
An important point must be made about fathers and their involvement in
family life. In all that we do to promote enhanced quality of life for
children and their families, this concept may be an important factor in
capturing the "heart of a father." [vii] While many men don't need to be
cajoled or coerced into spending more time with their children, some men do
need greater encouragement and support. Men can do better. We do not need
to be satisfied with attitudes that accept limited involvement, abusive
behavior, or lack of responsibility as the status quo for men in family
life. Men are most likely, we believe, to respond to moral invitations that
ask them to give the best of themselves to parenting the children in their
lives.
A key issue is that, in addition to benefits for children, mothers, and the
community, men themselves ultimately benefit when they fulfill their
paternal obligations and responsibilities.[viii] Such "fathering work" is,
therefore, also important to a father's personal development and will
directly affect his health, happiness, and satisfaction.
Fathers meaningfully involved in their children's lives are participating
in an important aspect of adult development called generativity. They are
caring for the next generation. Substantial and worthwhile involvement at
this stage of life is an important precursor to an issue in the last stage
of adulthood called integrity, when men begin to question how meaningful
their life's efforts have been. [ix]
Without adequate emphasis on their children during the formative years of
childhood and adolescence, men may struggle in resolving the impending
issues of the final stage of life. Therefore, the case should also be made
that, in general, most men need to do the work of fathering for their own
happiness, health, and peace.
Do Fathers Really Count?
As scholars of fathering and fathers ourselves, we sometimes face the
question of whether a father's involvement in the life of his family is
really important. What does the evidence truly suggest? We can only believe
that some individuals who would dismiss the evidence of fathers' importance
simply choose a kind of selective ignorance in which there is a willing
disregard for an ever-increasing body of scientific research that documents
the power and significance of a father's caring and involvement in the
lives of children.
Those who blatantly choose to ignore the facts about father absence and the
devastating impact it often has on children and family life are often the
first to scream at the band because it did not "play on." The band, of
course, was on the upper end of the Titanic before it sank. Ignorance may
be bliss until it brings everyone down with it!
Nearly three decades ago, child psychologist Michael Lamb shared a
description of fathers as the "forgotten contributors to child
development." Today it would be hard to make such a claim. Other
commentators have recently written:
Over the past decade, burgeoning interest in fatherhood by family scholars
has produced a body of research impressive in its size, breadth, and depth.
Moreover, interest in fatherhood has not been limited to researchers and
academics, but has spread to policymakers, social service providers,
politicians, community and religious organizations, social commentators,
and others. At no time in American history have so many been paying so much
attention to fathers and the institution of fatherhood. [x]
With so much attention being given to fathers and family life, what has
been learned? Increasingly, it is both acknowledged and accepted that the
involvement of a loving, committed father brings many positive elements to
the growth and development of children, the stability of families, and the
well-being of communities. It is our view that both parents count — mothers
and fathers. Our work focuses on fathers and does not, in any way, minimize
the tremendous contributions of mothers to the lives of their families.
A brief sampling of random findings related to the contributions of fathers
in family life illustrates the theme of why fathers count:
- Data analyzed from the National Study of Families and Households showed
when fathers were positively involved, children experienced fewer behavior
problems and anxieties, got along better with others, and were more
responsible. [xi]
- A study on empathy in adulthood found that the strongest predictor of
empathy for others was the level of care and support by fathers in
childhood. This applied to both men and women. [xii]
- Summarizing a series of early studies on fathers' influence on young
children, researchers indicate that fathers' interest and involvement in
the early years is strongly associated with higher cognitive functioning
and greater academic achievement among school-age children. [xiii]
- Childhood poverty in America is affected by fathers' ties to the family.
Only 9% of children living in married couple families lived below poverty
level, while 42% living in single mother families lived below poverty level
in 2004. This finding becomes even more significant for children born to
mothers outside of marriage, dramatically increasing the poverty rate for
such children. [xiv]
- Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth indicate that a
father's absence significantly increases the likelihood of difficulties
with peers, depressive behavior in boys, and other behavioral challenges
for girls. [xv]
Getting along with others. Empathy. Academic achievement. Child poverty.
Depression in childhood — all issues that reflect differing aspects of a
child's well-being and development. All of them are significantly affected
by a father's presence and involvement. The list could be significantly
expanded. The simple point is that a mounting wave of scholarship suggests
fathers count in a variety of ways in the lives of children and their
contributions inevitably shape the future of a child's life.
Beyond the research on family life, the most compelling evidence for a
father's love and involvement can be seen in the eyes of a child. Watch a
child who has a caring, involved father in his or her life interact with
him. Notice the laughter and the warmth.
In the eyes of a child, a father's love and acceptance can count for
everything. John Snarey, who tracked the contributions of fathers to
children across generations in a four-decade study, surveyed this vast
research and summarized: "Good fathering, it seems, really does matter. It
matters over a long time, over a lifetime, and even over generations." [xvi]
(You can share any comments or feedback with Sean Brotherson at
brotherson@meridianmagazine.com — I look forward to hearing from you!
Further information about Why Fathers Count can be located at
http://www.whyfatherscount.com.)
Endnotes
[i] D. Blankenhorn, Fatherless America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social
Problem. (New York: HarperPerennial, 1996).
[ii] See H. B. Biller, Fathers and Families: Paternal Factors in Child
Development. (Westport, CT: Auburn House, 1993); D. Blankenhorn, Fatherless
America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social Problem. (New York:
HarperPerennial, 1996); K. Canfield, The Heart of a Father: How Dads Can
Shape the Destiny of America. (Chicago: Northfield Publishing, 1996); R. D.
Day & M. E. Lamb (Eds.), Conceptualizing and Measuring Father Involvement.
(Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2003); W. J. Doherty, E. F.
Kouneski, & M. F. Erickson, "Responsible Fathering: An Overview and
Conceptual Framework," Journal of Marriage and the Family, 1998, 60,
277-292; J. Fagan & A. J. Hawkins (Eds.), Clinical and Educational
Interventions with Fathers. (Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press, 2001); A.
J. Hawkins & D. C. Dollahite (Eds.), Generative Fathering: Beyond Deficit
Perspectives. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1997); M. E. Lamb
(Ed.), The Role of the Father in Child Development, 3rd ed. (New York:
Wiley, 1997); W. Marsiglio, P. Amato, R. D. Day, & M. E. Lamb, "Scholarship
on Fatherhood in the 1990s and Beyond," Journal of Marriage and the Family,
2000, 62(4), 1173-1191.
[iii] R. LaRossa, "Fatherhood and Social Change," Family Relations, 1988,
37, 451-457.
[iv] W. J. Doherty, "Beyond Reactivity and the Deficit Model of Manhood: A
Comment on Articles by Napier, Pittman, and Gottman," Journal of Marital
and Family Therapy, 1991, 17, 29-32; A. J. Hawkins & D. C. Dollahite
(Eds.), Generative Fathering: Beyond Deficit Perspectives. (Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications, 1997).
[v] W. J. Doherty, "The Best of Times and the Worst of Times: Fathering as
a Contested Arena of Academic Discourse." In A. J. Hawkins & D. C.
Dollahite (Eds.), Generative Fathering: Beyond Deficit Perspectives, pp.
217-227, at 221. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1997).
[vi] P. R. Amato & A. Booth, A Generation at Risk: Growing Up in an Era of
Family Upheaval. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1997).
<[vii] K. Canfield, The Heart of a Father: How Dads Can Shape the Destiny
of America. (Chicago: Northfield Publishing, 1996).
[viii] R. Palkovitz, Involved Fathering and Men's Adult Development:
Provisional Balances. (Mahwah, NJ:
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2002).
[ix] E. H. Erikson, Childhood and Society. (New York: W. W. Norton, 1963).
[x] W. Horn & T. Sylvester, Father Facts (4th ed.), at p. 10.
(Gaithersburg, MD: National Fatherhood
Initiative, 2002).
[xi] J. Mosley & E. Thomson, "Fathering Behavior and Child Outcomes: The
Role of Race and Poverty." In W. Marsiglio (Ed.), Fatherhood: Contemporary
Theory, Research, and Social Policy, pp. 148-165. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publications, 1995).
[xii] R. Koestner, C. Franz, & J. Weinberger, "The Family Origins of
Empathic Concern: A 26-Year Longitudinal Study," Journal of Personality and
Social Psychology, 1990, 58, 709-717.
[xiii] H. B. Biller & J. L. Kimpton, "The Father and the School-Aged
Child." In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), The Role of the Father in Child Development,
3rd ed., pp. 143-161. (New York: Wiley, 1997).
[xiv] Child Trends, "Children in Poverty," 2004. Accessed 1/18/2006 at
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/4poverty.cfm
[xv] F. Mott, "Absent Fathers and Child Development: Emotional and
Cognitive Effects at Ages Five to Nine. (Ohio State University, 1993).
[xvi] J. Snarey, How Fathers Care for the Next Generation: A Four-Decade
Study, at p. 356. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1993).
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---
About the Authors:
Sean E. Brotherson, PhD, is the state extension family life specialist at
North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. He is responsible for
conducting research and designing educational programs related to children
and families. He holds master's and doctoral degrees in family science from
Brigham Young University and Oregon State University. He is married to
Kristen Walch and they have five beautiful children.
Dr. Brotherson has conducted research and published articles on fathering,
family policy, family life education, and how parents respond to the
challenges of stress and grief. He has presented the findings of this
research at conferences regionally and nationally. He has conducted
seminars on topics including fathers and family life, marriage, parenting,
building strong families, families and work, rural families and stress,
stress management, and family influences on youth risk behavior. He also
conducts research on the development and implementation of family policy at
the local, state, federal, and international level related to marriage,
children and youth rights, and parenting. He enjoys serving in the Church,
reading good biographies, fishing and horseback riding, and playing with
his children.
Joseph M. White, PhD, is a research assistant professor in the Department
of Sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He received his
doctorate at Texas Tech University in human development and family studies,
and his bachelor's and master's degrees from Utah State University. He has
published professional articles on topics ranging from fatherhood policy to
fathering among American Indians to recovery from substance abuse. He has
served as founder and co-director of the Dakota Fatherhood Initiative,
helped establish local fatherhood movements, and spoken on fatherhood at
regional and national conferences. His greatest work has occurred in his
home, where he is a father of seven children (six girls and one boy).
Joseph met his sweetheart, Alice, at Ricks College in Idaho in 1989.
---------------------------------------
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/525317/
Source: North Dakota State University
Released: Thu 16-Nov-2006, 16:05 ET
If Kids Only Came With Instruction Books
Description
New fathers don't receive a how-to manual when they hold their little
bundle of joy for the first time. A new book titled, "Why Fathers Count:
The Importance of Fathers and Their Involvement With Children," provides
information and tips for fathers and those who support them at all stages
of parenting — from new fathers to grandfathers.
Newswise — New fathers don't receive a how-to manual when they hold their
little bundle of joy for the first time. A new book titled, "Why Fathers
Count: The Importance of Fathers and Their Involvement With Children,"
provides information and tips for fathers and those who support them at all
stages of parenting — from new fathers to grandfathers. It also contains
information and insight on fathers and families on a wide variety of topics
such as fathers and daughters, fathers and play, working fathers, fathers
who are divorced, and fathers and a child's education.
According to the book, the most important work that men do is being totally
involved in the lives of their children and families. This contemporary
edited anthology focuses on key issues in fathering and father involvement.
Edited by Sean Brotherson, associate professor of family science, North
Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., and Joseph White, research professor
in sociology, University of Nebraska ¬ Lincoln, the book has been released
and is available to order beginning Nov. 15.
"In a culture that questions the value of men in family life, we need a
compelling perspective on what men can contribute to their families and
communities, as well as insight on the ways in which fathers and father
figures make a meaningful difference," said Brotherson.
"Why Fathers Count" offers insight on these topics. According to the book,
contemporary research generally shows that children deprived of a positive
relationship with their father may be at increased risk for problems such
as drug abuse, delinquency, depression or compromised performance in
school. In response to this research, "Why Fathers Count" discusses the
importance of father involvement and provides both insight and practical
strategies for fathers to connect with their children and families, such as:
- Be involved in shared activities (recreational activities, play,
homework, important events)
- Read regularly with children and be involved in their education
- Participate in spiritual activities with children
- Share exchanges of time, love and affection
- Mentor children in developing skills and confidence
- Connect through sharing memories and telling stories
These practical strategies are a small sample of the suggestions and
insight "Why Fathers Count" offers readers. The book also provides fathers
with tips to promote their children's early literacy skills, how to promote
father-child communication around reading, and how to bond with their
children. The book serves as a resource for fathers, as well as for
professionals who teach parenting skills or wish to understand and support
positive father involvement.
"More must be done to address the issue of fatherhood and the future of our
children. Therefore, we hope that one of the contributions of this book
will be its ability to communicate the power of a father's love in the life
of a child," said White. Authors of the book point out that building strong
bonds between fathers and their children not only affects families, but
also carries societal benefits.
Commenting on the book, Joseph Pleck, professor of family studies at the
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and current editor of the journal
"Fathering," said, "'Why Fathers Count' makes the most comprehensive case
available today for the importance of fathering."
To order "Why Fathers Count" visit www.whyfatherscount.com. Discounts are
available for orders placed prior to Dec. 31, 2006. The book is also
available through Men's Studies Press (www.mensstudies.com) and through
quality bookstores or online bookstores.
Contributing authors to this contemporary anthology on the importance of
father involvement include some of the leading scholars and practitioners
in the field, including: Ken R. Canfield, Ph.D., National Center for
Fathering; Paul Dixon, Ph.D., University of North Texas; David C.
Dollahite, Ph.D., Brigham Young University; H. Wallace Goddard, Ph.D.,
CFLE, University of Arkansas; Stephen D. Green, Ph.D., Texas A&M
University; J. Michael Hall, M.Ed., Strong Fathers-Strong Families; Glen
Palm, Ph.D., St. Cloud State University; Rob Palkovitz, Ph.D., University
of Delaware; Vicky Phares, Ph.D., University of South Florida; Neil Tift,
M.A., National Practitioners Network on Fathers and Families; and Randell
Turner, Ph.D., Fathers Workshop of York County.
A total of 38 authors contributed to the book, notes Brotherson. He said,
"The original content and insights offered by these authors on fathers,
children and family life is powerful. We think it will make a unique
contribution."
Resource:
http://www.whyfatherscount.com
http://www.mensstudies.com
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