Raising the Bar of Expectation for Young Men

Ken Sanders - Program Director

Fathering is for Life.

Presentation Objectives

Why should we care?

Research on Young Fathers

What we know about Young Fathers

Why the lack of connection between young men teen pregnancy prevention

What’s happening now

Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation National Center for Health Statistics

Youth and Society. 1995; 26(3):351-376

17.4 per 1,000 males ages 15-19 years became teen fathers in 2002

Teen dads enter labor market earlier but…initially earn more money than do other malesby the time they reach mid-20's, they earn less

study of teen fathers both before and after they become parents found differed significantly from their peers were less likely to see themselves as being in control of their lives

young men who become dads before the age of 22 more likely to be absent

Why Care???

• Incidence of teen fatherhood is lower than that of teen motherhood

• The negative consequence for dads are similar to those observed among teen mothers

• Their experience is impacted by both their ethnicity and cultural norms.

• Teenage fatherhood grows out of both personal and social contexts

• Increasing evidence that teen fathers want to be (and are) involved to varying degrees

• Teen parent programs which include helping young dads are effective if…•self-sufficient•teach effective parenting skills•promote healthy lifestyles

Young Father Research

Early studies of teen fathers assumed they were psychologically unstable and stigmatized individuals

They are a potential resource for their child

They want to be (or are) involved with their children

They are individuals with their own unmet needs

developmental dilemma – being a child while taking on adult responsibilities

What we know about Young Fathers

Challenges to Teen Fathers

The birth process

Lack of role models

Traditional limited expectations of dads themselves

No ritual support system like moms

Developmental issues of the dads

Lack of research on needs of young dads

Involvement is seen as punitive

A Dad Is…

Protector

Coach or Cheerleader

Disciplinarian

ProviderMediator Nurturer

Funny

Winner

Leader

What it means to be a Dad

What does a teen dad tend to be???

ABSENT!!!

The Challenge to all of Us

El Paso County - highest concentration of children (ages 0-18) in the state

Divorce rate in El Paso County is 73%

60% of children born today will live part of childhood in single parent home

90% of dads become non-custodial and 50% of them become disengaged

Children in one-parent homes twice as likely to have school dropout, teen pregnancy, or substance abuse problems

Over 70% of people in prison for violent crimes grew up without their fathers

Father Absence Risk Factors

The effect that a father’s absence has on his children…

• 90% of all homeless and runaway children• 85% of all children in mental facilities• 85% of all youths in prisons• 71% of all adolescents receiving substance abuse treatment• 63% of youth suicides

Source: US D.H.H.S. and Bureau of Census

Services of the Center on Fathering

Our Approach

Each dad an individual

Dads are assessed using SWOT

New Services

Funding from Colorado “Promoting Responsible Fatherhood” Initiative

“InsideOut Dads”

“Nurturing Fathers”

Benefits of Father Involvement

Emotional, Financial, and Social Support

Help through abandonment or other emotional issues

Critical knowledge of medical, genetic information or financial benefits

Avoid out-of-home care altogether or help with quicker permanency when child placed with father or his kin. Quicker permanency saves child welfare agency resources

Benefits of Father Involvement, cont…

Reduced overall caseloads in the long run

More positive work environment for caseworkers

Birth mothers might feel less stressed or isolated if birth dads were involved Father involvement might lead to dads feeling more empowered & responsible for their children

Financial and personal self-sufficiency

Gainful employment and job skills

Education completion

Effective parenting skills

The legal aspects of fatherhood

Behavioral issues

Delay of future unplanned pregnancies

Self-esteem

Community involvement

Developing Services for Young Dads

Engaging Young Fathers

Assumptions

Masculinity

Relationships