positive involvement of fathers in parenting e35

The Positive Involvement of Fathers

Content of Session

1. Research2. Practice

Our research The Positive Involvement of Fathers

Research QuestionWhere vulnerable families receive external support what helps ensure that fathers are positively involved in the upbringing of children?

Methods - Interviews with fathers- Fathers focus groups- Practitioner survey

How is involvement measured Uni-dimensional approaches

- time spent together- quality of father child relationship- investment in parenting role

A multi dimensional conceptualisation- 15 ‘Categories of paternal involvement’ –

communication, teaching, monitoring, cognitive processes, Errands, Caregiving, Shared interests, Availability, Planning, Shared activities, Providing, Affection, Protection and Supporting emotionality

- Linked to stage and development of children- Impact of ethnicity, culture, class, family

structure- Employment conditions

- cognitive development- emotional development and wellbeing- social development- decrease in negative development outcomes

The benefits of positive involvement

for children

- better communication between fathers and family members;- a greater sense of commitment to the family;- less troubling conflict with teenage children.

The benefits of positive involvement

for the family

- self confidence and effectiveness as parent- better understanding and accepting of children- engaged in the community- better personal relationships- enjoy a secure attachment relationship with their children.- cope well with stressful situations and everyday hassles.- feel as if they can depend on others more.- feel more comfortable in their occupation and feel that they can do their job well.- feel confident they have a lot to offer others in terms of their job skills, parenting skills, and social relationships.

The benefits of positive involvement

for the father

What has most effect on the involvement of fathers

- own experience of being parented- personal characteristics and perspectives- co-parental relationship - work/life balance- external support

What do you think are the important aspects of positive

involvement of fathers?

Our work with fathersPrevious research- ‘Dad’s the word’- ‘Listening to fathers’

Current models of working- Fathers worker- Fathers groups

Fatherproofing?- Link with ‘Fathers Network’- ‘Where’s Dad?’

A Fathers’ Workers Role

Day to Day

- Group Work - Individual Family

Support

What does a father’s worker in Greater Pilton look like?

- Stepping out to meet dads’ where they are.

- Gender?- An exclusive role?

What holds dads back and how can we welcome Fathers?

References

Goldman, R (2005). Fathers’ Involvement in their Children’s Education. London: National Family and Parenting Institute

Department of Children and Families (2008) The Impact of Parental Involvement on Children’s Education. http://www.nationalcollege.org.uk/impact-of-parental-involvement-2.pdf

Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2007). Parenting and the different ways it can affect children’s lives: research evidence. http://www.jrf.org.uk/system/files/2132-parenting-literature-reviews.pdf

Nord, C., & West, J. (2001). Fathers' and mothers' involvement in their children's schools by family type and resident status [On-line]. http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2001032

Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, U.S. Children's Bureau Rosenberg, Jeffrey., Wilcox, W. Bradford. (2006). The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children

Yeung, W. J., Duncan, G. J., & Hill, M. S. (2000). Putting fathers back in the picture: Parental activities and children's adult outcomes. In H. E. Peters, G. W. Peterson, S. K. Steinmetz, & R. D. Day (Eds.), Fatherhood: Research, interventions and policies (pp. 97-113). New York, NY:

Hayworth Press

Maxwell, N., Scourfield, J., Featherstone, B., Holland, S. and Tolman, R. (2012) Engaging fathers in child welfare services: A narrative review of recent research evidence. Child and Family Social Work, 17 (2): 160-169. http://

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2206.2012.00827.x/abstract

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). (2009). The Father Toolkit http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/prog-ini/funding-financement/npf-fpn/father-papa/pdf/nfp_toolkit_eng.pdf

Garret D. Evans|Kate Fogarty. University of Florida (2011) The hidden benefits of being an involved father.