What About the Dads? Engaging Fathers in Early Childhood Education

What About the Dads?

Engaging Fathers in Early Childhood Education

With Thanks to our Sponsor

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) “Partnership for Families”

Identify the paradigm shift on involving fathers in childcare.

Understand the scope and negative effects of father absence.

Explore the benefits of father involvement in child development.

Consider opportunities to involve fathers.

Why is all the attention on mothers? Fathers are important too.

Traditionally, child-focused

programs were designed to

provide services addressing the

needs of the mother-child dyad.

These programs were often

designed, structured, and staffed

primarily by women. We now

need to focus on providing

supports to better involve fathers

in the lives of their children.

“Responsible, engaged fathers are critical to the financial, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being of children, and, therefore to the strength and health of American families and communities.”

— President Barack Obama, Speech delivered Father’s Day 2008

Engaging fathers is a dynamic, ongoing process. Effective father engagement requires consistent and long-term commitment on the part of each one of us

Engaging Fathers in Early Childhood Education

Many cultures discourage men from taking an active role in caring for their young children.We need to value the active contributions a father brings in caring for the child.

Review of current research / key insights and data on the role that fathers play in the well-being of their children. This information is meant to better equip you to support fathers and reduce the ill effects of father absence in our community.

Fathers and Their Impact on Children’sWell-Being

Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring. Fathers have a direct impact on the well-being of their children. It is important to have a working understanding of the literature that addresses this impact.

-U.S. Children’s Bureau

The Father’s Role in Early Child Development

Two important reports on research were put forth during the 1980’s. Both volumes report the findings of carefully constructed and thoughtfully interpreted research studies of men in relationship to their young children.• The Role of the Father in Child Development (Warner

Books, New York, 1981)• The Nurturing Father (Warner Books, New York, 1987)

Fathers and Mothers Nurture in Different Ways

The reports noted consistent findings in the research:• Men tend to be more physical and reciprocal in play. Men tend to structure

play and interaction around a task, game, or project. • Women tend to use more verbal interaction and direction in their play.

Women tend to structure play and interaction around an idea or make-believe situation.

• The differences have beneficial effects: affords variety in interactive experience and fosters a capacity to attach to each parent as a separate individual with distinct relational styles.

Fathers and Separation

The reports also speak to separation issues:• Fathers function typically as the first safe “other” that infants seek.• As early childhood progresses and the world expands fathers tend to be more

encouraging of exploration, tolerant of frustration and encouraging of trying new things than the mothers.

• As the child emerges as an individual the different interactive styles of both parents remain important to this process. Each parent provides a unique contribution.

Impact of the Involved Father on the Mother and Family:

Overall positive outcomes for children’s well-being

Additional support from father & paternal family

Increase in mother’s patience, flexibility and emotional responsiveness toward child

--U.S. Children’s Bureau

Premature infants whose fathers spent more time playing with them had better cognitive outcomes at age three.

Yogman MW, Kindlon D, & Earls FJ, (1994). Father involvement and cognitive behavioral outcomes of premature infants. Journal of the American Academy Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34: 58-66.

LONGSCAN Study

LONGSCAN is the acronym for the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect, started in 1989, with pediatrics, social work, psychology and public health represented among the investigators. Outcomes at young ages were assessed by parent report and observation of the children, while increasing child self-report and teacher reports as children aged. The dataset is housed at the National Data Archives on Child Abuse and Neglect. This study continues to follow the participants now young adults, into their 20s.

LONGSCAN Findings : Fathers Matter

Father presence is associated with a number of improved outcomes, including better cognitive development and children’s perceived competence

• The presence of a live-in boyfriend increases the risk for maltreatment, relative to the presence of a biological father or no father

• Some fathers may feel intimidated or inadequate as providers of child

care

• Children who report more support from fathers were less depressed, more socially competent, and more socially accepted

• Neglect is more likely when fathers feel less effective in parenting

LONGSCAN Implications:• Remove barriers to fathers’ involvement with their children

• Help fathers feel competent in parenting

• Convey to fathers and father figures how their children can benefit from their involvement

• All systems serving children (i.e., child welfare, health care, education) should strive to include fathers

LONGSCAN and LONGSCAN: From Science to Practice: http://www.iprc.unc.edu/longscan/pages/DDCF/

At six months old, children whose fathers had been actively involved from birth scored higher on a test of mental and motor development than children whose fathers were not involved during the first eight weeks. They also managed stress better during their school years.

Pfiffner LJ, McBurnett K, and Rathouz PJ, (2001). Father absence and familial antisocial characteristics. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 29(5): 357-367.

In a study of third and fourth graders, a father’s provision of warmth and control was positively related to higher academic achievement.

Greater father involvement also reduces the likelihood that children in 6th through 12th grade have ever been suspended or expelled from school.

Coley RL, (1998). Children’s socialization experiences and functioning in single-mother households: The importance of fathers and other men. Child Development, 69: 219-230.

A father’s influence extends beyond the child’s developmental stage. Adolescents between the ages of 14-19 have higher self-esteem and less depression when they have greater intimacy with their fathers.

Field T, et al. (1995). Adolescents’ intimacy with parents and friends. Adolescence, 30(117): 133-140.

Fathers influence positive academic results

Higher school performance Higher SAT scores 38% higher grades Greater ambition Participation in extracurricular activities Higher college enrollment rates (daughters specifically)

U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics. Father Involvement for Healthy Child Outcomes: Partners Supporting Knowledge Development and Transfer, March 1, 2007.

A father influences his children in many ways : Emotional well being Increased financial stability Behavior Expanded cultural ties and ethnic heritage Occupational choices How the child will parent his own children

FATHER FACTS, 6TH EDITION • © 2011 National Fatherhood Initiative

Father AbsenceOne out of every three children in the U.S. lives apart from their father. -U.S. Census Bureau 2010

The non-resident father:17% visit their fathers at least once a week 50% have seen their father in the last year but less than

weekly 33% have not seen their father in the past year

-Fagan J, Laughlin L, & Farrie D, (2009). Involvement with children following marital and non-marital separations. Fathering, 7: 226-248.

Changing Family Dynamics in the US

According to recent U.S. Census data, the percentage of unmarried women having children has steadily climbed since the 1940s and skyrocketed in recent years. 2012: Thirty-six percent of U.S. women who had given birth were unmarriedUp from 2005: Thirty per-cent

Effects on Mothers

Pregnant mothers without the child’s father in the home are: 70% less likely to obtain prenatal care More likely to experience depression Less likely to breastfeed

Albrecht C, & Teachman JD, (2003). Childhood living arrangements and risk of premarital Intercourse. Journal of Family Issues, 24: 867-894.

The Impact of Father Absence on Children’s Well-Being / Social Behavior

Children whose biological fathers are absent are 2-3 times more likely:

to be poor to use drugs to experience educational problems to have health problems to have emotional problems to have behavioral problems to be victims of child abuse to engage in more criminal behavior

…than their peers who live with their married biological parents (or adoptive parents).

Horn W, & Sylvester T, (2002). Father facts (4th ed). Gaithersburg, MD: National Fatherhood Initiative.

Youth in father-absent households have significantly higher odds of incarceration than those in homes with both a mom and a dad.

Harper CC, & McLanahan SS, (2004). Father absence and youth incarceration. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 14: 369-397.

Children with involved, loving fathersare significantly more likely to:• do well in school• have healthy self esteem• exhibit empathy and pro-social

behavior• avoid high risk behaviors such as drug

use• avoid truancy • avoid being involved in criminal

activity …compared to children who have

uninvolved fathers.

--Horn W, & Sylvester T, (2002). Father facts (4th ed.). Gaithersburg, MD: National Fatherhood Initiative.

When fathers are not involved: Children are 2 times more likely to drop out of

school Students are 2 times more likely to repeat a

grade in school

http://www.fatherhood.org/media/consequences-of-father-absence-statistics

The Impact of Fathers on Cognitive Ability and Educational Achievement

“A number of studies suggest that fathers who are involved, nurturing and playful with their infants have children with higher IQs, as well as better linguistic and cognitive capacities.”

Rosenberg J, (2006). Fathers and their impact on children’s well-being. Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Societal Factors That Influence the Development of Manhood & Fatherhood

Expression of emotions is discouraged

Anger is an acceptable male emotion

Drive to be dominant Being physically strong Pressure to be an economic

success

Shears J, & Furman R, (2008) Working with fathers: A review of the literature. University of North Carolina- Charlotte.

Barriers to Men Seeking Help

Admitting there is a problem Difficulty in asking for help and

depending on others Being perceived as “weak” Fear of intimacy &

vulnerability

Shears J, & Furman R, (2008). Working with fathers: A review of the literature. Charlotte: University of North Carolina.

Barriers to father engagement include: Strong Maternal/Child model of care Assumption that fathers should know they are included Primarily female-run programs Staff fear or biases around engaging fathers Lack of male social service providers Intake process that requires limited information on

fathers

In today’s culture of social media and high-speed internet, the messages reaching young men are often uncensored and inappropriate. TV dads are often portrayed as immature and less-than-intelligent followers who are rarely looked to for advice or guidance. Unfortunately, many young men may lack the appropriate role models. The underlying message from the media is that dads are not very important or necessary which is completely contradicted by research studies documenting the critical role fathers play in helping children grow and develop.

“In many ways, I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence — both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill. We can do everything possible to provide good jobs and good schools and safe streets for our kids, but it will never be enough to fully make up the difference. That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise one.”— President Obama on the 100th anniversary of Father’s Day, June 21, 2009

A Father In His Own Words

Part 2: What We Have Learned in Working with Fathers

Normalize their experience, ask him to tell you his story Minimize reflection on his affect & emotions Provide direct feedback and action-oriented steps, concrete

action that will reach his goal Use metaphors to make problems concrete and relatable

(sports metaphors, building metaphors) Use approaches that focus on logic and behavior

Shears J, & Furman R, (2008). Working with fathers: A review of the literature. Charlotte: University of North Carolina.

Strategies to Encourage Fathers’ Help-Seeking Behaviors:

What we have learned in four years of working with fathers:

Assume the non-resident father wants to be involved

Restore the non-resident father in the child's life at what level he can be

Each father is unique, find his strengths Suspend judgments

Make Room for His Anger

Men learn in our culture that a man is allowed to show he cares through his expressions of anger. Allow for this expression, acknowledge it then help him focus on how he is essential to the development of his child.

What has been effective to engage non-resident fathers:

Seek first to understand Recognize and acknowledge his

previous experience with support systems

Help him understand his role in the life of his child and how important it is.

Acknowledge the power in your position along with empowering the father

Ask the father, “How would you like your child to remember you 10 to 15 years from now?”

Remind the father that he is a role model for his child (he may not have had that) …breaking the chain of fatherlessness

Common Challenges to Non-Resident Father Engagement

Expressions of anger Co-parenting and parental conflict

with the mother Multiple issues: unemployment,

housing, court involvement, substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence

Important things to consider in moving forward:

How do we help a father understand that he is important to the well being of his child?

What strategies do we use to develop a working relationship with a father?

Explaining the process and expectation for a father and what his role is.

How do we empower fathers by our own actions?

Including Fathers

Mothers and women have demonstrated exceptional skill preparing generations of children for success in school and life. They deserve our admiration and respect. But, if given the chance, fathers too can play an equally important role in the lives of young children.

The more complex an issue, the more time and information may be needed to move to the next stage.-Father Friendly Check-Up Tool

There are many ways for your organization to engage fathers in programming.

Engaging fathers begins with a holistic approach to becoming father-friendly. Father inclusion should be a priority for the entire organization’s agenda and be stressed in leadership development, program development and community engagement.

Father Friendly Environment

A first step is to make childcare centers more welcoming to men. Simple things, such as displaying photographs of fathers, father-figures, and men interacting with children, can be easily done and at little cost, with immediate, positive effect.

“The primary task of every civilization is to teach the young men to be fathers.”

-Margaret Mead

Nancy AshleyProject Manager, Child Welfare-Early Learning PartnershipChildren’s Home Society of WashingtonOffice: 206-695-3214, Cell: 206-604-7455Nancy@chs-wa.org

Sheeyay Duncansduncan@LCTHC.ORGLake County Tribal Health, Lake County, California

Janet HugginsProject Manager, Partnership for FamiliesUW Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit/Washington State Parent Child Assistance Program(206) 543-7155jhuggins@u.washington.edu

Jonah IdczakFather Engagement Specialist, Children’s Administration, Washington State (206) 639-6212IdczaJD@dshs.wa.govFather Engagement Specialist, Children’s Administration

Shayne RochesterSnohomish County Parent Advocacy Committee MemberFatherhood Engagement Facilitator‘Life During CPS’ Facilitator ‘Parent for Parent’ Parent MentorFamily Case Manager, Partnership for Families (Evergreen Manor-Seattle)(425) 622-6928shayne.rochester@yahoo.com or srochester@evergreenmanor.org

Shrounda SelivanoffKing County Parent Advocate Committee MemberFamily Case Manager, Partnership for Families (Evergreen Manor-Seattle)(206) 909-0104sselivanoff@evergreenmanor.org

Websites Related to Engaging Fathers

Washington State Children’s Services Fathers Matter Web Pagewww.dshs.wa.gov/ca/about/fm_cps.asp

‘Including Fathers’ Video http://uwtv.org/watch/16219667/  National Fatherhood Initiativewww.fatherhood.org National Responsible Fathers Clearinghousewww.fatherhood.gov US DHHS Administration for Children & Families Fatherhood Resourceshttp://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/promoting/fatherhood.cfm

Group Discussions

In your agency… What are the barriers to working with Fathers? For example, personal barriers? Institutional barriers? Other?

What are action steps you can take to overcome these barriers— in the next month? Over the next year? Over the next 5 years?