Around 14,000 men in New Zealand are the primary caregiver for their children, yet little recent research has focused on this phenomenon. Seventy fathers were recruited from the community, consisting of 35 primary-caregiving fathers, and 35 secondary-caregiving fathers. Participants completed a variety of measures which gathered data about their developmental history, personal characteristics, marital relationship, work and economic factors, social network factors, and child characteristics. Results indicated that primary-caregiving fathers earned significantly less income than secondary-caregiving fathers; were significantly more likely to identify with non-Pakeha ethnicity, and were significantly more likely to have no educational qualifications than secondary-caregiving fathers. Primary-caregiving fathers also rated their relationship with their mother as having significantly more care. Primary-caregiving status was predicted by older age of fathers, and increased parenting self-efficacy. Implications of the results are discussed, as are strengths and limitations of the study, as well as future directions for research.

Guided by the limited previous literature of adolescent sexual debut and father behaviors, this study examined the influence of father warmth, involvement, and monitoring on adolescent age of sexual debut and likelihood of sexual debut before age 16. Participants and measures were drawn from the Flourishing Families Project and included 346 families and variables from measures completed by adolescents and their parents. A zero-inflated Poisson model was used to test the relationship between father variables and adolescent sexual debut. Gender differences were also analyzed. The findings indicate that an increase in father warmth correlates with a decreased age of sexual debut for adolescent sons and daughters. Results also suggest that an increase in father engagement is related to an increase in the age of debut. However, this variable was also associated with increasing the likelihood of debut for adolescent sons. No significance was found between father monitoring and the age or likelihood of debut. Findings suggest that father variables, independent of mother behaviors, uniquely influence adolescent sexual debut; these effects seem to be protective in some circumstances, while increasing risk in other instances. Implications for future research is considered.

This qualitative phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of adult father-absent African American women to extrapolate from their stories the meaning they attached to the experience and to hear in their own words how they perceived the absence of their father shaped their lives and affected them socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and educationally. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom audio-conferencing with adult African American women who ranged in age from 20-62 years of age living in various parts of the U.S. The findings of this study revealed that father-daughter relationship bonds held a special meaning to each participant as most of them longed for the presence, protection and love of their fathers. According to the shared stories and perceptions of the participants, living without a father greatly affected the way they viewed the world, relationships with men, relationships with family members, and it had a significant impact upon their lives socially, emotionally, behaviorally and educationally. The women of this study reported that their relationships suffered because they did not have what they considered healthy male-female interactions as a model for their own relationships. This study also revealed that more research is needed regarding father absence and education. The findings of this study can possibly be used to encourage male relatives such as uncles, cousins, older brothers, and community leader to assume the role of social father provide male support, guidance and encouragement to father-absent young women in their families and communities. The findings of this study can also function as a catalyst to more in-depth discussions about the mental and emotional well-being of young Black women as well as the Black community to assure them that seeking mental and emotional support is nothing to be ashamed of.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the paternal experience of perinatal loss. Perinatal loss is a significant life experience for childbearing families and this study helped to reveal the meaning of the paternal experience, how meaning was constructed and what factors both contributed and/or hindered coping following the loss. Although extensive research in grief and loss has been conducted there existed a significant knowledge gap related to the experience of perinatal loss and even more of a paucity concerning the understanding of the paternal experience. A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was conducted with a purposeful sample of seven fathers who had experienced a perinatal loss. These fathers helped provide a basis for understanding through partaking in interviews conducted in a venue chosen by fathers. Data analysis involved procedures with roots in Heideggerian traditions of phenomenology, to allow for meaning interpretation of the father's narratives. The analysis resulted in four shared meanings 1) Perinatal Loss - Unexpected Reality, 2) Acknowledgment and Remembrance, 3) Significance and Strength and 4) Crisis, which consisted of 12 themes (World Falling Apart, Absolute Shock, Stoicism, Wishing for Answers, Silent Shelter, Concern for Wife, Communication, Time Heals - Though Never Forgotten, Continued Support and Understanding, Life Changing Moment, Opportunity of Growth and Avoidable Choice). Results indicated that fathers felt ill prepared for this unexpected life event and that they needed to remain strong or to live up to perceived expectations. Although the loss was never forgotten, through reflection, communication and continued support and understanding healing transpired over time and crisis was an avoidable choice. Further exploration of the paternal experience of perinatal loss with varying socio-cultural backgrounds, younger aged population group as well as different religious and cultural backgrounds is recommended. Research is also indicated to explore: 1) educational interventions focusing on both short and long term supportive care to bereaved families, 2) the impact of substantive bereavement programs on healing and meaning-making, 3) the impact of a perinatal loss experience on other members of the family unit, and 4) the impact of recurrent perinatal loss to a family.

This thesis explores the impact of the new Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005 on the acquisition by unmarried fathers of parental responsibilities and rights. The research has shown that the Children’s Act has fundamentally transformed the way in which parental responsibilities and rights are acquired. Parental responsibilities and rights can now be automatically acquired by a committed unmarried father. Although the Act has undergone major changes, unmarried fathers must still satisfy many more requirements than mothers, and thus it is asserted that the Act is deemed not to have been progressive enough. Granting full parental responsibilities and rights to both parents, based on their biological link to the child, would meet the constitutional demands of sex and gender equality. This would also place the focus on the child, and the best interests of the child. The importance in securing these best interests that the presence of both parents has in the life of the child is emphasised. / Thesis (LL.M. (Comparative Child Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

This study was designed to determine the contributions of mothers and fathers to infant social development. Nine 1 0-month-olds , 12 fourteen-month- olds, and 12 eighteen-month-olds were observed with their mothers and fathers in a laboratory situation. Parent-infant interactions were videotaped during three different episodes: Mother-infant dyad, father-infant dyad, and mother- father-infant triad. Findings revealed different interaction patterns as a result of the ages of infants and the interaction situation. Older infants and their parents engaged in more verbal behavior (responsive talk, social speech, and story reading) than younger infants and their parents. It was found that parents and infants interacted with each other more when observed in dyads than in triads. However , it is argued that situation may not be a significant factor, if the duration of interactions, is controlled for. There were no significant differences between mothers and fathers in the amount of interaction they engaged in with their infants . Likewise, there were few gender differences across age groups in parent-infant interaction. The data are discussed with respect to the importance of early interaction patterns and the need to control for interaction time when examining "second-order" effects.

This study was designed to reveal the self perception of unwed fathers . Ten men participated in the project; nine of them IDre 25 years of age or younger. To measure self perception an instrument was constructed in the form of a questionnaire . Each um18d father was then interviewed to discover his perceptions, particularly as they relate to their common plight of unwed fatherhood. The men perceived themselves as normal young Americans , and felt their conduct and intentions were in compliance ,nth peer expectations . Some of the subjects responded to the interview ,nth descriptive and detailed accounts while others were either unconcerned or hesitant and replied in fe,[ ,rords . None of the me!1 W The emergence of a clearer picture of the unwed father , through the attempt to reveal his interests, problems, and concerns , may assist in the development of strategies and programs to prevent illegitimacy and to effectively aid those involved in it . Perhaps this study of the self perception of unwed fathers will be helpful in this regard.

Thesis (M.S.) in Human Development--University of Maine, 2004. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-59).

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-46).