Early Parenthood Among Males Emancipating from Foster Care: Findings from the National Youth in Transition Database

Background and Purpose. In recent years, increased attention has been paid to early parenthood among adolescents emancipating from foster care. Research has shown that foster youth are more likely to become parents during adolescence and early adulthood, and those who parent children may experience more detrimental outcomes as they transition to independent living. Nevertheless, the majority of existing studies are focused solely on females, and limited information currently exists about males. The purpose of the present study is to address this gap by (1) documenting the proportion of males who fathered a child at least once by age 21; and (2) evaluating the impact of fatherhood on males` socioeconomic outcomes and risk indicators at age 21.

Methods. Data and Samples: This study was based on a longitudinal analysis of data from the National Youth in Transition Database. The sample consisted of 2,491 males residing in all states and the District of Columbia. Each youth was interviewed at three time points: age 17, 19 and 21. Measurement: Participants reported on whether or not they fathered a child prior to age 17, between ages 17-19 and between ages 19-21. Participants also reported on their socioeconomic outcomes (i.e., educational attainment, employment status and receipt of public assistance) and risk indicators (i.e., homelessness, substance abuse referral and incarceration) at age 21. Data Analysis: First, we examined the proportion of males who fathered a child at least once by age 21. Next, we performed binary logistic regression analyses to evaluate the contribution of fatherhood at different time points (i.e., prior to age 17; ages 17-19; ages 19-21) to youths` socioeconomic outcomes and risk indicators at age 21. Participants` race/ethnicity, emancipation status and risk engagement in prior years were accounted for in these analyses.

Results. Nearly 20% of males reported fathering a child by age 21, with a substantial increase in rates of fatherhood as they approached early adulthood. Multivariate analyses revealed that fathering a child between ages 19-21 (but not at earlier ages) was associated with lower likelihood of obtaining a high school diploma/GED or above, and higher likelihood of homelessness and receipt of public assistance. Furthermore, fathering a child between ages 17-19 was associated with lower likelihood of employment. Lastly, fathering a child at any point after age 17 was liked to higher likelihood of incarceration at age 21. The presence of substance abuse referrals was unrelated to fatherhood in the current analysis.

Conclusions and Implications. Fatherhood, especially if it occurs during the period of transition to adulthood (i.e., ages 17-21) rather than earlier in adolescence (i.e., prior to age 17), may be associated with worse socioeconomic outcomes and increased engagement in risk behavior at age 21. Given that nearly one-fifth of males in the current sample reported fathering at least one child, services targeting this population are sorely needed.