A FRESH LOOK AT FATHERHOOD

PROMOTING FATHERHOOD INVOLVEMENT IN THE FLORIDA

ASSOCIATION OF HEALTHY START COALITIONS

Embracing Fatherhood InitiativeLatoya Hill, Alison Nelson, & Natalie Rella

Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions2011 Annual Summer

Education and Training ForumFort Lauderdale, Florida

July 25-27, 2011

Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions2011 Annual Summer

Education and Training ForumFort Lauderdale, Florida

July 25-27, 2011

A FRESH LOOK AT FATHERHOOD

The Case for Paternal Involvement 24 million children, 1 out of 3, grow up in

homes in which their biological fathers do not live with them. 1 in 4 white children live in father-absent homes.

In the African-American community, 2 out of 3 children live without biological fathers in the home.

One in three Hispanic children live in father-absent homes.

Infant Mortality and Birth Outcomes

The Case for Paternal Involvement

Infants with absent fathers were more likely to be born with lower birth weights, to be preterm and small for gestational age.

Lack of perinatal paternal involvement increases infant mortality nearly four times for Black women compared to White women.

The Case for Paternal Involvement

A child with a nonresident father is 54% more likely to be poorer than his or her father.

39% of jail inmates lived in mother-only households

Poverty Incarceration

Teen PregnancyTeen Pregnancy Being raised by a single

mother raises the risk of teen pregnancy, marrying with less than a high school degree, and forming a marriage where both partners have less than a high school degree.

The Case for Paternal Involvement

Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of school

Students living in father-absent homes are twice as likely to repeat a grade in school

Living in a single-parent home doubles the risk that a child will suffer physical, emotional, or educational neglect.

Child Abuse Education

Childhood Obesity Obese children are

more likely to live in father-absent homes than are non-obese children

What happens when fathers are involved???

…Hope Abounds

Benefits to Mom and the Pregnancy

Positive mother-father relationship quality was associated with frequent father contact and adequate father parenting

Paternal involvement can promote positive pregnancy behaviors decreased stress,

increased prenatal care and a reduction in smoking behaviors

Mom Pregnancy

Choi & Jackson, 2010; Alio et al, 2010

Benefits for the Child Behavior Outcomes

Increased paternal involvement leads to increased positive behavioral outcomes for the child compared to children with absent fathers.

Children with two parent families had fewer behavior problems compared one-parent homes.

Children had better perceived confidence and social acceptance than children who did not identify a father figure

Non-resident father involvement could benefit their children’s behavioral development.

Coley, 1998; Flouri &Buchanan, 2004; Jackson, Choi & Franke, 2009; Teachman et al, 1998; Choi & Jackson, 2010

Benefits for the Child

Academic success Encouraging father engagement during pregnancy

and child’s transition into kindergarten is instrumental in child’s future academic success

Father and father figure involvement is linked to improved cognitive development and academic success

Superior scores in reading and math compared one-parent homes

Shannon et al, 2008; Coley, 1998; Dubowitz et al., 2001; Teachman et al., 1998

Benefits for the Child and Family

Families without fathers are five times more likely to be poor as married-couple families.

Financial instability has been found to negatively impact child well being

Increased involvement during pregnancy and early child’s life may improve chances of the father: Having a relationship with the child’s mother Stay employed or find employment Having greater connectedness and appropriate

financial obligation to the child

Cancian & Reed, 2009; Shannon et al, 2009; Cabrera et al, 2008

Financial Stability

A Personal Account

Michael WatkinsResponsible Fatherhood Initiative Grant

Coordinator at Pinellas County Health Department

Engaging Fathers & Males Interact with fathers in a style that

demonstrates respect, empathy, and high expectations. Make sure fathers feel invited. Express

positive comments about men in both formal and informal settings

General attitude and message is given to fathers that their role as active parents is critical to their children’s development Explain to him the importance of being an

involved father

Engaging Fathers & Males Offer physical activities & programs for

father and child Remember fathers are men, and that makes

them visual; therefore use interactive games, workshops, or sports

Be patient, understanding, and encourage fathers Don’t expect him to know everything.

Demonstrate to him “how to” and encourage him for getting it right OR wrong.

Embracing Fatherhood Initiative:

We propose FAHSC Leadership: Adopt father-friendly service as part of the

organizational culture of the coalitions Integrate paternal involvement training for

FAHSC staff in all 30 coalitions statewide; particularly frontline staff

Acknowledgments Dr. Deborah Austin

REACHUP Inc. Dr. Judi Vitucci

Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc. Dr. Russell Kirby

University of South Florida, Tampa Dr. James McHale

University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Dr. Julie Baldwin

Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa

Dee Jeffers Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center

Tabling Event

Please visit our information table How “father-friendly” is your coalition?

Do a quick assessment to automatically be entered into a raffle

Win gift card prize package Pick up a Brochure to share with colleagues

and clients Share your personal success stories

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!