1. Raising the Bar of Expectation for Young Men
Ken Sanders - Program Director
Fathering is for Life.

5. Presentation Objectives
Why should we care?
Research on Young Fathers
What we know about Young Fathers
Why the lack of connection between young men
teen pregnancy prevention
What’s happening now

6. Why Care???
17.4 per 1,000 males ages years became teen fathers in 2002
Teen dads enter labor market earlier but…
initially earn more money than do other males
by the time they reach mid-20's, they earn less
study of teen fathers both before and after they become parents found
differed significantly from their peers
were less likely to see themselves as being in control of their lives
young men who become dads before the age of 22 more likely to be absent
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation
National Center for Health Statistics
Youth and Society. 1995; 26(3):

7. Young Father Research
Incidence of teen fatherhood is lower than that of teen motherhood
The negative consequence for dads are similar to those observed among teen
mothers
Their experience is impacted by both their ethnicity and cultural norms.
Teenage fatherhood grows out of both personal and social contexts
Increasing evidence that teen fathers want to be (and are) involved to varying degrees
Teen parent programs which include helping young dads are effective if…
self-sufficient
teach effective parenting skills
promote healthy lifestyles
Early studies of teen fathers assumed they were psychologically unstable and stigmatized individuals

8. What we know about Young Fathers
They are a potential resource for their child
They want to be (or are) involved with their children
They are individuals with their own unmet needs
developmental dilemma – being a child while taking on adult responsibilities

9. Challenges to Teen Fathers
The birth process
Lack of role models
Traditional limited expectations
of dads themselves
No ritual support system like moms
Developmental issues of the dads
Lack of research on needs of young dads
Involvement is seen as punitive

10. A Dad Is… Leader Coach or Cheerleader Disciplinarian Winner Protector
Funny
Mediator
Nurturer
Provider

11. What it means to be a Dad

12. What does a teen dad tend to be???
ABSENT!!!

14. The Challenge to all of Us
El Paso County - highest concentration of children (ages 0-18) in the state
Divorce rate in El Paso County is 73%
60% of children born today will live part of childhood in single parent home
90% of dads become non-custodial and 50% of them become disengaged
Children in one-parent homes twice as likely to have school dropout, teen
pregnancy, or substance abuse problems
Over 70% of people in prison for violent crimes grew up without their fathers

15. Father Absence Risk Factors
The effect that a father’s absence has on his children…
90% of all homeless and runaway children
85% of all children in mental facilities
85% of all youths in prisons
71% of all adolescents receiving substance abuse treatment
63% of youth suicides
Source: US D.H.H.S. and Bureau of Census

16. Services of the Center on Fathering

17. Our Approach
Each dad an individual
Dads are assessed using SWOT

18. New Services Funding from Colorado “Promoting Responsible Fatherhood”
Initiative
“InsideOut Dads”
“Nurturing Fathers”

19. Benefits of Father Involvement
Emotional, Financial, and Social Support
Help through abandonment or other emotional issues
Critical knowledge of medical, genetic information or financial benefits
Avoid out-of-home care altogether or help with quicker permanency
when child placed with father or his kin.
Quicker permanency saves child welfare agency resources

20. Benefits of Father Involvement, cont…
Reduced overall caseloads in the long run
More positive work environment for caseworkers
Birth mothers might feel less stressed or isolated if birth dads
were involved
Father involvement might lead to dads feeling more empowered &
responsible for their children

21. Developing Services for Young Dads
Financial and personal self-sufficiency
Gainful employment and job skills
Education completion
Effective parenting skills
The legal aspects of fatherhood
Behavioral issues
Delay of future unplanned pregnancies
Self-esteem
Community involvement

22. Engaging Young Fathers
Assumptions
Masculinity
Relationships

23. Questions?