The Critical Transition to Fatherhood Two critical components of a healthy transition to parenthood are parenting self-efficacy – the mastery of the parenthood role – and parenting satisfaction with the parenting role. Both elements describe the parent’s comfort with parenting behaviour required in healthy and effective infant care. For fathers, regardless of background, the birth … Read more
Introduction Rising divorce rates have led to more children living apart from their biological fathers. Non-residency (father and child not living together) is a strong predictor of reduced father involvement. Non-residential fathers tend to be less involved with their children, in terms of paternal engagement (direct interaction with children), accessibility, and responsibility (Sandberg & Hofferth, … Read more
Introduction Research on fatherhood reveals a wide range of factors that support or hinder fathers’ positive engagement with their children. In fact, father involvement has been shown to be influenced, to a greater extent than mother involvement, by contextual factors, such as family dynamics or socio-economic situation (Doherty et al, 1996). One such factor is … Read more
Much has been written about how play and recreation are key ways in which fathers parent, and wherein parenting differences between mothers and fathers show up. This article summarises research evidence on the unique parenting style that fathers tend to adopt, and the benefits that children reap when families and professionals alike optimise fatherhood. Fathers … Read more
The teenage stage One of the central tasks for teenagers is to develop their personal identity. Teenagers spend more time away from their parents and with their peers, from whom they learn cues about what to do in order to both fit in and stand out. However, parents continue to have an important role and … Read more
Source: Madhavan, S. and K. Roy (2012). Securing fatherhood through kin work: A comparison of Black low-income fathers and families in South Africa and the United States. Journal of Family Issues, 33 (6), 801-822. Introduction Previous research has highlighted the role of kin in supporting fathering practices in communities experiencing social and economic difficulties. Such research … Read more
A Holistic Approach There are many books that discuss the notorious ‘Terrible-Two’ phases which young children may go through, however, not many target children in a specific age-group, much less examine the on-goings in consecutive 3-month periods of growth. In Fathering Your Toddler – A Dad’s Guide to the Second and Third Years, American author … Read more
Padilla-Walker, L.M. & Coyne, S.M. (2011). “Turn that thing off!”: Parent and adolescent predictors of proactive media monitoring. Journal of Adolescence, 34(4). Background Parents are typically wary that the media may influence their children’s values and behaviours in ways that are inconsistent with their own aspirations for their children. This is especially true for fathers who … Read more
Father Your Son is written by Stephan B. Poulter, a licensed clinical family psychologist who has worked in a variety of settings with over 2300 fathers and sons for nearly 30 years. Drawing upon engaging real-life case studies derived from Poulter’s clinical experience and research, Father Your Son offers fathers a comprehensive programme to confront – and conquer … Read more
Who’s Screaming? Screamfree™ is defined as learning to relate with others in a calm, cool and connected way, taking hold of your own emotional responses no matter how anyone else chooses to behave; learning to focus on yourself and take care of yourself for the world’s benefit. Screamfree Parenting may indeed be a revolutionary book … Read more