Family Man in the Other America: New Opportunities, Motivations, and Supports for Paternal Caregiving

Other Titles
Abstract
This analysis draws on longitudinal, qualitative interviews with disadvantaged mothers and fathers who participated in the Fragile Families Study (a U.S. birth cohort study) to examine how issues related to men’s employment, social support, skills, and motivation facilitated their care of young children in different relationship contexts. Interviews with parents indicate that while some motivated and skilled men actively chose to become caregivers with the support of mothers, others developed new motivations, skills, and parenting supports in response to situations in which they were out of work or the mother was experiencing challenges. These findings suggest that disadvantaged men who assume caregiving responsibilities take different paths to involvement in the early years after their child’s birth. Policies that overlook paternal caregivers may not only miss the opportunity to support relationships that benefit at-risk children but also unintentionally undermine this involvement.
Journal / Series
Volume & Issue
Description
Sponsorship
Date Issued
2009
Publisher
Keywords
Policy Analysis and Management
Location
Effective Date
Expiration Date
Sector
Employer
Union
Union Local
NAICS
Number of Workers
Committee Chair
Committee Co-Chair
Committee Member
Degree Discipline
Degree Name
Degree Level
Related Version
Related DOI
Related To
Related Part
Based on Related Item
Has Other Format(s)
Part of Related Item
Related To
Related Publication(s)
Link(s) to Related Publication(s)
References
Link(s) to Reference(s)
Previously Published As
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol 624, No. 1, 156-176 (2009)
Government Document
ISBN
ISMN
ISSN
Other Identifiers
Rights
Rights URI
Types
article
Accessibility Feature
Accessibility Hazard
Accessibility Summary
Link(s) to Catalog Record