Fathering Attitudes and Behaviors Among Low-Income Fathers

Background and Purpose: When fathers cannot financially support their children, they are at risk for being denied child visitation by the mother of their children and in jeopardy of being jailed or repeatedly fined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a fatherhood intervention designed to improve the fathering attitudes and behaviors of low-income fathers from Louisiana. 

Intervention

The Full-Time Fathers Program (FTFP) was established through the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative to increase fathers' involvement in their children’s lives. The aim is to help fathers be “present in a child’s life, actively contributing to a child’s healthy development, sharing economic responsibilities, and cooperating with a child’s mother in addressing the full range of a child’s and family’s needs” (ACF, 2016).

 

Methods 

Sample: Fifty-seven biological fathers. Most were African American (86.2%). Age range 21-49 (M = 34.27, SD = 8.62). On average, their highest grade completed was 11^th grade. The fathers had histories of unemployment, underemployment, and part-time employment.

Data Collection: An 18-item assessment was designed to identify potential barriers to maintaining employment and paying child support. Sample items included employment history, financial benefits received, relationship with each child’s mother, and amount of time spent with each child.

 

Data Analysis: Chi-square tests were performed to determine any significant differences in attitudes and behaviors related to fathering before and after the program. 

Propositions: We propose that fathers who complete the fatherhood intervention will:

1. improve their attitude about being a father;

2. increase their closeness with their children;

3. increase their amount of contact with their children;

4. increase their satisfaction with the amount of time spent with their children;

5. improve their mother-father relationships; and

6. obtain employment.

 

Results

The study was successful in recruiting a sample of predominantly African American fathers (N = 57) and retaining the participants over time. An adequate number of fathers achieved the intervention goals to obtain employment, increase their earnings, and complete educational (i.e., GED) training. There was a statistically significant improvement in fathers’ relationship with the mothers of their children. Additionally, there were increases in fathers' positive attitudes about being a father; perceived closeness with their children; amount of contact with their children; and satisfaction with the amount of time spent with their children. Most of the fathers gave favorable reports regarding the fatherhood program’s goals and delivery.

 

Conclusion

Social workers can implement an ecological approach such as the FTFP to address the barriers so fathers can stay adequately involved. Explicit benefit: Fathers will learn and apply viable strategies to support their children financially and non-financially and thereby help their children avoid negative biopsychosocial outcomes. Implicit benefits: Fathers will take pride in their ability to effectively parent their children, and fathers will achieve self-reliance by establishing their own economic stability instead of relying solely on the government for prolonged financial assistance. The example fathers set for their children could be instrumental in breaking the cycle of fathers who are uninvolved due to limited parenting and social skills and low income.