The Things My Dad Never Told Me

1. The Things My Dad Never Told Me How can we bring young fathers into the family circle –support their child & support the child’s mother?

2. Presenters: Fredalene B. Bowers, Ph.D., Professor (fbowers@iup.edu) Marion R. Henry, M.Ed., Asst. Professor (mhenry@iup.edu) Dept. of Human Development & Environmental Studies Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705 Kathy Monko, M.A., Program Coordinator (kmonko@iu28.org) Gary Simmons, B.S., Fatherhood Initiative (gsimmon@iu28.org) ARIN (Armstrong-Indiana Counties) Intermediate Unit 28 2895 West Pike, Indiana, PA 15701

3. Workshop will address: • Historical view of fathers and societal expectations • Strategies used by one fatherhood initiative program to engage fathers • Discussion of one young couple involved in a teen parent program

4. Changes in Role of Father • prior to 1900’s - breadwinner & moral guidance • 1900 – 20’s – increased involvement, concern of “overfeminization”, both breadwinner & nurturer • 1930’s – Great Depression, inability to provide financially • 1940’s – WW, war disrupted family life, separation left psychological scars

5. 1950-60’s – Baby Boom, young men had to prove manhood, fathers needed to provide consumer items, separation between classes & parenting styles begin to differ • Mid 1960’s – fathers cannot support family; 1/3 white & ½ black • 1970’s – changes in family structure – mother needs to work • 1990’s – fatherhood not as appealing, delay of marriage, mothers do “second shift”

6. 2000 – present changes • Fathers more involved – 1 in 4 care for preschooler while mother works • 30% of working, single dads are primary caregivers • Fathers provide ¾ of child care mothers do

7. Fathers

8. ARIN IU 28’s Fatherhood InitiativeWho are “my dads?” • Demographics • Support systems • Great majority want to be involved • Many lack the means, few lack the ability

9. What is my role? • Information provider • Relationship builder • Parenting path guide

10. What did you learn from your father? • Absent • Inconsistent • Involved

11. What do you have to offer to your child? • Strengths • Weaknesses • Goals • Compatibility with MOB

12. When will your baby __________? • Developmental milestones • Nurturing development

13. What is {…family law terminology}? • Understanding the system • Navigating the system

14. Who took care of you when you were sick? • Personal experience • Learning new skills

15. When your baby is an adult what will he/she say about you?

16. Parting shots… • Fatherless homes account for: • 70% of high school dropouts • 70% of pregnant teens • 75% of teens in chemical abuse centers • 85% of incarcerated youth • 90% of homeless and runaway youth • 5 times more likely to commit suicide - • 9 times more likely to drop out of school • 10 times more likely to abuse chemicals • 14 times more likely to commit rape • 20 times more likely to end up in prison

17. Sources • Berger, E. and Riojas-Cortez, M. Parents as partners in education (8th ed.) New York: Pearson. • Fagan, J. and Palm, G. Fathers and Early Childhood Programs. Canada: Delmar Learning. • 2010 United States Census • Guttenmacher Institute • National Fatherhood Initiative