Abstract
The article provides insight on issues serving as barriers to low-income fathers' involvement with their children and with parenting programs.
Key Take Away Points
- Fathers prefer to get information about parenting from their spouse or their own mother, and thus may absorb parenting information indirectly from mothers in parenting programs.
- Father involvement is tied to financial stability.
- Fathers may view parenting programs with suspicion.
- Increasing father involvement in parenting programs may require: (a) working with mothers to reduce their gatekeeping, and (b) providing parenting support in context with a broader range of family supports in the community.
Author Biography
Jean Ann Summers, PhD, is a Research Professor at the University of Kansas Institute for Lifespan Studies. She has more than 30 years' experience conducting research and developing training related to early childhood, families of children with disability, and families of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Recommended Citation
Summers, Jean Ann
(2011)
"Commentary on "A Needs Assessment Examining Low-Income Fathers’ Barriers to Participation in Parenting Programs","
Journal of Family Strengths: Vol. 11:
Iss.
1, Article 24.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58464/2168-670X.1034
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/jfs/vol11/iss1/24
A Response To:
Shawna J. Lee, Anna Yelick, Kimberly Brisebois, and Kelvin L. Banks, Low-Income Fathers’ Barriers to Participation in Family and Parenting Programs
