Each individual as well as every organization is in one of these 4 stages. We each come to this issue with a variety of influencers that will either encourage or discourage our desire or ability to move to the next stage. One strong influencer is an organization ’ s ability to critically think.
Facilitator Instructions : Explain that if they want one page that covers what NFI does, this is it! This slide summarizes who NFI is. We are a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian organization that was founded in 1994 to confront the most consequential social problem of our time: the widespread fatherlessness in the lives of our nation’s children. Explain that our mission is to improve the well-being of children by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible and committed fathers in their lives. Involved, responsible and committed is a mantra at NFI, because those are the three characteristics that a good father should have. Some fathers are involved but not responsible. Some are involved but should be committed. So we want fathers to be all three – involved, responsible and committed. We do this through the 3 E strategy. Educate, Equip, Engage NFI curricula fall under the “Equipping’ part of our strategy.
We will talk later about the actual stats on why fathers matter
Another major part of our public education effort is to get accurate, timely information to the public on father absence and its consequences. In November of 2005, we released “ With This Ring, A National Survey on Marriage in America, ” which is one of the largest surveys ever conducted on American attitudes towards marriage. In December of 2006, we released “ Pop ’ s Culture: A National Survey on Dads ’ Attitudes on Fathering. ” Both of these surveys are available for download on our website. “ The Father Factor, ” is a compilation of social science research on the negative consequences of father absence on our youth. It is a great resource for speeches and presentations on various issues. Our flagship research piece is called “ Father Facts, ” and the 5 th edition was released in the spring of 2007. Father Facts is a 180-page compilation of social science research on trends in family structure and child well being, with chapters on the negative effects of fatherlessnes and the positive effects of father involvement. Mama Says….
This was one of the most alarming bits of information I read—If dads think they are replaceable- (and moms agree) if this is true…Houston we have a problem!
Note –* a newer phenomena as an obstacle/barrier to fathers is the grandmother!
Although the following slides are taken from this presentation, it is good discussion for what the barriers to fathers are in Pregnancy Centers.
Refer to the Handout of Logic model explain the various inputs activities of the project. Some points: Over 8300 hours of T & TA provided to date We use an independent review panel (30-42 reviewers) We provide 5-8 webinars each year Continue to use feedback from sites to address TA needs most effectively
When you think about these stats- if 88% were identified that = about 1760 fathers; 55% were contacted by the agency or 968; and 40% of them visited the child or 290 fathers. And 28% of those fathers expressed interest in living with the child or 81 fathers. (that is 4% of the original 2000 children with a chance of living w/father)
Facilitator: Do any of these issues resonate in the pregnancy center? Is there a culture of thinking ‘all men are or could be violent? All are predators?
Facilitator: Do any of these issues resonate in the pregnancy center?
Facilitator: Some other anecdotal information is that the mother has ‘moved on’. Do any of these issues resonate in the pregnancy center?
Facilitator: Do any of these issues resonate in the pregnancy center? In 2001, the National Family Preservation Network (NFPN) studied how child welfare practitioners engage or fail to engage fathers when children need to be removed from an abusive or neglectful mother. As a result of interviews conducted with 100 child welfare workers, court personnel, and staff of family preservation and fatherhood programs in Newark, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Washington and Trenton, NFPN reported, “Participants again and again stated that family of origin issues play an enormous role in how professionals work with fathers… Many female child welfare workers have negative experiences surrounding their own fathers or the fathers of their children. Personal biases and experiences can and do contaminate professional practice .” Some female workers acknowledged wanting to avoid their own “issues about men.” (National Family Preservation Network, 2001).
I believe that these 2 terms have the biggest impact on the level of a father ’s involvement in his child’s life. If a mom is the “gateway” between the child and the dad, meaning she encourages him in his role as a dad, studies have shown the dad to be much more involved in his child’s life. Conversely, if the mom is a “gatekeeper” who controls access to his child, the gate can be closed for any number of reasons that may have nothing to do with his ability to be a good dad. These situations have a negative impact on the dad’s motivation to be involved in his child’s life. Unfortunately, many dads and social service providers report frequent situations where “gatekeeping” prevents dads access to his children even after he has participated in parenting programs to increase his fathering skills. So, let’s talk a little more about the term “gatekeeping”.
I believe that these 2 terms have the biggest impact on the level of a father ’s involvement in his child’s life. If a mom is the “gateway” between the child and the dad, meaning she encourages him in his role as a dad, studies have shown the dad to be much more involved in his child’s life. Conversely, if the mom is a “gatekeeper” who controls access to his child, the gate can be closed for any number of reasons that may have nothing to do with his ability to be a good dad. These situations have a negative impact on the dad’s motivation to be involved in his child’s life. Unfortunately, many dads and social service providers report frequent situations where “gatekeeping” prevents dads access to his children even after he has participated in parenting programs to increase his fathering skills. So, let’s talk a little more about the term “gatekeeping”.
I think it ’ s important that we spend a little time on a fairly new term “ Maternal gatekeeping ” which is typically defined as a collection of beliefs and behaviors that may inhibit a collaborative effort between men and women in family work (Allen & Hawkins, 1999). Specific gatekeeping behaviors can include assuming primary responsibility for childrearing tasks or criticizing the father ’ s actions when he is involved.
Here are some behavioral aspects that you can reference to assess a mom ’s level and appropriateness of gatekeeping. Remember, as parents there may be some influences that we do need to gatekeep in the best interest of the child so want to keep a balanced perspective. Now read the slide.
Read the slide—there is a study on the next slide.
In situations with parents not living together- mom may say she doesn’t know who the dad is ‘with’ re: friends/aquaintances or may say don’t want child near his friends/acquaintances – if they don’t know who they are – how do they know they are not good? Are the moms making the right choices in friends/aquaintances as well.
Read title of final research publication and announce that this research does a great job of summarizing moms role as gatekeeper in father involvement. Read slides. Implication: Help mom understand the important role dad plays in her child ’s well-being.
This slide builds off of the last bullet on the previous slide to illustrate that some of the ways fathers parent are different and teaches their children different areas of development than mom ’s ways. Together, mom and dad work as a system that provides a more balanced and well-adjusted child. One way isn’t better than the other; however, both bring a unique and irreplaceable piece to the parenting puzzle.
Prenatal Care: Early detection of infections, STDs, nutritional problems in mom, lack of insurance Breast feed: Less Smokng Less Likely to become depressed
Remember that LBW is the #1 contributing factor to infant mortality today. Babies are more likely to breast fed and breast feeding comes with several benefits over formula: Nutrition benefits to infants, especially infants who might have a hard time taking formula Immune benefits-the mother milk contains infection fighting antibodies that are passed along to the baby. These are especially important during the winter months that are considered our “ cold and flu ” season. Breast fed babies seem to get fewer respiratory illness and may develop fewer allergies. Let ’ s do another Poll. Which of the following has the greatest impact on whether a pregnant women obtains adequate and early pre-natal care? Go ahead mark your response. These polls are good for keeping people engaged. Speaking of involvement, we can see by the number of responses how involved the participants are. Let ’ s look at the answer.
One resource which has been helpful is the MAG module. Here ’s what MAG is designed to do…
We already talked about the first bullet. The second bullet can help you put together the most effective way to help the mom encourage father involvement. Discuss NFI ’s Dadventures program for the third bullet. For the fourth bullet, mention that this is a way to diffuse many defenses that moms may have about the dad and understand that they were created different for a reason, which ultimately benefits their child.
Once you start helping moms encourage dads to get involved, it will be important to have activities and resources available that the dads will feel comfortable with and believe are for them.
A good starting point
Trainer: Tell the participants that you will share the factors that influence father involvement so that they can see how the father-friendly organization fits in to the set of factors. These factors were identified by Michael Lamb, Ph.D. and described in Chapter 1 of “The Role of the Father in Child Development” now in its 5 th edition. Two of the factors exist within the father (motivation and skills and self-confidence)—or are “internal”—and two exist outside the father (social supports and institutional/cultural factors)—or are “external.” Point out that it’s very important to address internal and external factors to increase father involvement. Point out that NFI’s workshop The 7 Bright Spots to Designing Your Fatherhood Program ™ includes a closer look at how to do this.
Trainer: Simply read the copy on this slide and the next one telling the participants that these are the areas within the four factors that have been found to influence father involvement through research conducted in the past several decades. You don ’t have to explain how each one affects father involvement.
Facilitators: Mention observed bias toward fathers in social work will be discussed later today in the session on barriers to father engagement:
Trainer: Point out that NFI was the first to develop this kind of organizational assessment and has been diligent about updating it ever since. Working with many types of organizations: Head Start/Early Head Start Parents as Teachers Circle of Parents Schools Churches Businesses Note that we have been approached by a variety of organizations to develop customized versions of the check-up.
Trainer: Go through the assessment categories on the next two slides and define them for the participants. Make sure they understand the definitions because they ’ll need to remember them throughout the remainder of the workshop.
Trainer: Give the participants the Case Studies of Strategic Plans handout. Tell them that you will share the results of using the check-up/assessment tool to create a customized strategic plan to increase father friendliness from four organizations. Each of these organizations worked with NFI to apply the check-up and received training and technical assistance from us. Provide some background on each of the organizations using this slide and the next three slides, and then go over the handout in as much detail as you have time. After you go through the handout, ask participants for their thoughts/reactions. If someone asks about where NFI received funding to work with this organization , NFI worked with PCC as part of a large grant from a private source to increase father friendliness among PCCs nationwide. Do not share this information unless asked for it, and under no circumstances reveal the name of the funder.
Trainer: Encourage the participants to download the free check-up from NFI ’s website and to use it for the purposes on this slide.
The ‘ guy ’ may not know if he is dad yet – while she is testing, have something for him to read. Mention that NFI’s Dad’s Pocket Guides are also a great recruitment tool in that you can insert a flyer regarding your Why Knot? program right into it. The Pocket Guides are easily distributed and include tools that will inspire dads to seek a group program like Why Knot?. Research has shown that this is a great time to reach men around relationship and fatherhood skill building.
Talk About Assumptions by not inviting him at all- assumption is he is abusive/perpetrator, Tell story about intake form at Head starts & Bethany Fathers are often thought of as Perpetrators!
Trainer: End the workshop with this quote. Margaret Mead was one of the most famous anthropologists the world has known. This powerful quote comes from a book she published in 1950 called “Male and Female.” Point out that she said it is the “primary” task, not just one of many tasks. And the next my favorite quote regarding fathers and families…