Welcome to The Paradox of Fatherhood Work: Exploring the Challenges of Dads Who Work With Dads

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Welcome toThe Paradox of Fatherhood Work
Exploring the Challenges ofDads Who Work With
Dads

• Facilitated by Doug Gertner, Ph.D.
• Emu Consulting, Denver, Colorado
• Involving Fathers, Enriching Families

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The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Exploring the
Challenges ofDads Who Work With DadsFacilitated
by Doug Gertner

• Introductions
• A Brief History of the Fatherhood Field
• Survey of Dads Who Work with Dads
• Recommendations and Solutions

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkPlease stand if
you...

• Work in a Head Start setting
• Have Children...
• Have Children who are in Head Start
• ARE A FATHER WHO WORKS WITH FATHERS...

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkWhat is a PARADOX?

• A seemingly contradictory statement that may
  nonetheless be true
• Exhibiting contradictory or inexplicable aspects
  or qualities
• A statement contrary to popular opinion
• Example the paradox that standing is more tiring
  than walking.

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkWhat is a
Fatherhood Work?

• Male Involvement Coordinator
• Parent Involvement Specialist
• Low-Income Fathers Program Staff
• Fatherhood Initiative Staff
• Child Support Program Staff
• Family Education Services Provider
• Young Fathers Program Staff
• New Fathers Services Provider

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The Paradox of Fatherhood Work

• Here is a visual example of Fatherhood Work in an
  Early Childhood setting and the challenges faced
  by dads who (seek to) work with children...

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A Brief Chronological History of the Fatherhood
Field

• Excerpted from Making Fathers Count Assessing
  the Progress of Responsible Fatherhood Efforts by
  K. Sylvester K. Reich of SPAN for the Annie E.
  Casey Foundation
• Available _at_ www.aecf.org

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1975 January 4 President Gerald Ford signs into
law the Social Services Amendments of 1974,
requiring states to establish child
support programs that provide services to welfare
families and may provide services to non-welfare
families.
The legislation results from congressional concern
that lack of support from fathers forces
families to unnecessarily rely on welfare.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1981 Dr. James Levine founds The Fatherhood
Project at Bank Street College of Education in
New York City, with Dr. Michael Lamb and Dr.
Joseph Pleck as associate directors.
With support from the Ford Foundation and others,
The Fatherhood Project serves as a national
research, demonstration, and dissemination
project to identify, test, and promote best
practices for supporting the involvement of
fathers in the lives of children.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1982 Charles Ballard founds the Institute for
Responsible Fatherhood and Family Revitalization,
six years after he first began working with
non-custodial fathers in Cleveland as part of a
hospital outreach program.
The institute pioneers an intensive, one-on-one
approach toward connecting fathers with families,
with all of its programs headed by couples who
model marriage in their own communities.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1983 November 10 U.S. Representative Patricia
Schroeder of Colorado holds the Paternal Absence
and Fathers Roles hearing in the House of
Representatives. Dr. James Levine and Dr. Debra
Klinman provide testimony from The Fatherhood
Project.
Also that year . . . The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) funds research
efforts to collect data from both mothers and
fathers about divorce, child support, and
fathers involvement with their children.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1984 The Fatherhood Project publishes Fatherhood
USA The First National Guide to Programs,
Services, and Resources for and About Fathers,
and hosts a forum in New York City, which brings
together 400 service providers and parents.
Also that year . . . Dr. James Dobson, founder
and president of Focus on the Family, produces
Wheres Dad? The film series challenges men to
spend more time with their children.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1985 The National Urban League begins its Male
Responsibility Project, which focuses both on
adolescent pregnancy prevention and on
responsible fatherhood issues. The Project leads
to national conferences in 1988 and 1989 and
spawns 60 local programs at Urban League
affiliates nationwide.
Also that year . . . The Fatherhood
Project implements the Teen Father Project. The
Kindering Center establishes the National Fathers
Network, to supports fathers raising children
with special needs.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1988 The U.S. Congress enacts the Family Support
Act. The law strengthens paternity establishment,
presumptive child support, and paycheck
withholding procedures.
Also that year . . . Greg Bishop founds Boot Camp
for New Dads, a hospital-based program that uses
experienced fathers to coach new fathers on
parenting techniques. By 2004, these programs
are operating in over 40 states.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
Also that year . . . Minnesota Early
Learning Development (MELD), creates a new
curriculum specifically for young fathers ages 15
to 25. Over the next ten years, more than 20
communities across the nation launch MELD for
Young Dads programs.
1990 Dr. Ken Canfield founds the National Center
for Fathering to educate the public about the
problem of father absence and to develop methods
for improving fathering skills.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1991 June 11 U.S. Representative Patricia
Schroeder holds congressional hearings entitled
Babies and Briefcases Creating a
Family-Friendly Workplace for Fathers. Among
those testifying is Dr. James Levine.
Also that year . . . Dr. Louis Sullivan,
then Secretary of HHS, begins a national
male-involvement initiative, including grants to
Head Start agencies to increase outreach
to fathers.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
Also that year . . . July 11 The third annual
Family Re-Union Conference, sponsored by Vice
President and Mrs. Gore, focuses on The Role of
Men in Childrens Lives. October 27 NFI hosts
a national summit on fatherhood in Dallas, with
more than 250 attendees.
1994 March 7 Don Eberly and Dr. Wade F. Horn
found the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI),
with the goal of stimulating a broad-based
movement to restore fatherhood as a national
priority.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
Also that year . . . April The annual KIDS COUNT
report of the Annie E. Casey Foundation focuses
on father absence and its negative effects on
child well-being. June 16 President Clinton
issues Executive Memorandum urging federal
agencies to focus on fatherhood issues.
1995 March NFI publishes Father Facts, a
comprehensive collection of statistics
on fatherhood and the consequences of father
absence on child well-being. By May 2002, Father
Facts is in its fourth edition.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
Also that year . . . President Clintons Domestic
Policy Council, convenes a conference of federal
agencies to discuss how they can change policies
and practices to promote responsible
fatherhood. The Florida legislature establishes
a statewide Responsible Fatherhood Commission.
1996 February Virginia Governor George Allen,
in collaboration with NFI, launches the Virginia
Fatherhood Campaign, the first statewide
fatherhood initiative in the country.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
Also that year . . . The HHS Office of Child
Support Enforcement funds eight responsible
fatherhood demonstration projects. The Promise
Keepers, a faith-based movement to encourage
marriage and father involvement, stages a rally
in Washington, D.C.
1997 August 5 Congress enacts the
Welfare-to-Work block grant, which includes the
first funding source specifically targeted to
help low-income, noncustodial fathers find jobs.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
Also that year . . . Bienvenidos Family Services
and the National Compadres Network found the
National Latino Fatherhood and Family Institute
(NLFFI), directed by Jerry Tello. NLFFI seeks to
help Latino fathers become more active in the
nurturing and education of their children.
1998 November Morehouse College and the
Institute for American Values sponsor a three-day
conference, African- American Fathers and Their
Families in the 21st Century.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
1999 NPNFF becomes a fully independent
organization and holds its first
annual membership meeting. The Strengthening for
Fragile Families project announces demonstration
sites for program to involve low-income,
non-custodial fathers in their childrens lives.
Also that year . . . U.S. Senator
Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and 24 other
senators sponsor a resolution encouraging greater
involvement of fathers in their childrens lives.
The largely symbolic resolution passes the
Senate unanimously.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
2000 June 2-3 NFI hosts its third National
Summit on Fatherhood in Washington, D.C. Vice
President Gore addresses the gathering Governor
George W. Bush participates by videoconference.
Also that year . . . September 13-15 NPNFF and
the Family and Corrections Network (FCN)
cosponsor the first North American Conference on
Fathers Behind Bars and on the Street.
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHistory of
Fatherhood Work
Postscript After 2000 In 2001 President
Bush includes in his budget 315 million for
fatherhood programs, with 64 million
approved for 2002, including 4 million to expand
state and local responsible fatherhood programs.
He additionally proposes that 100 million be set
aside for states to explore ways of reducing
out-of-wedlock births by encouraging marriage in
low-income and welfare families.
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A Brief Chronological History of the Fatherhood
Field

• Excerpted from Making Fathers Count Assessing
  the Progress of Responsible Fatherhood Efforts by
  K. Sylvester K. Reich of SPAN for the Annie E.
  Casey Foundation
• Available _at_ www.aecf.org

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkSurvey Results

• Pilot Study done in 2003
• First presented at 4th Annual Southwestern
  Fatherhood Conference, February 5-7, 2003, in
  Phoenix, Arizona
• N 26
• HYPOTHESES - see handout

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHypotheses

• Fatherhood practitioners may find that they put
  additional pressure on themselves to be active
  with their families because they know the
  importance of involved fathers and the
  liabilities of father absence

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHypotheses

• Fatherhood workers may get more pressure from
  their partners to take an equal role in all
  aspects of family and domestic life, as mom is
  aware that dad promotes shared parenting in his
  work with fathers and families

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHypotheses

• Fatherhood practitioners may feel additional
  pressure in their communities to be active and
  model involved fathering, such as being expected
  to volunteer at their childs school, as a coach,
  etc.

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHypotheses

• Fatherhood practitioners may find it especially
  difficult to balance work and family life, as
  they are pulled by both the demands of their job
  and of their family

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHypotheses

• Fatherhood workers who travel away from their
  families for their job may note the particular
  paradox that when theyre off doing the important
  work of promoting involved fatherhood, they are
  actually not available to do so in their own
  family

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHypotheses

• Fatherhood practitioners can be held to higher
  standards and watched more closely as a parent
  with the assumption that their commitment to
  promoting involved fatherhood is enough to make
  them an exemplary parent in every way

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHypotheses

• When a fatherhood worker deviates from expected
  standards or behavior, such a separating from or
  divorcing his partner, or acting somehow
  inappropriately, he may be swiftly and harshly
  judged by others based on certain expectations of
  fatherhood practitioners

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkHypotheses

• Even though highly committed to their work with
  fathers, because these human services jobs are
  often lower paying, fatherhood workers may have
  to choose to pursue other types of employment,
  and may struggle with the decision between money
  and passion.

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AGE of Practitioners
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 0 - 18-23
• 4 - 24-30
• 10 - 31-40
• 4 - 31-50
• 7 - 51

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ETHNICITY of Practitioners
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 2 - African-American/Black
• 2 - Latino/Hispanic
• 21 - Caucasian/White
• 1 - Native-American/Indian
• 0 - Asian/Pacific Islander

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EDUCATION of Practitioners
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 4 - Some College
• 9 - College Degree
• 1 - Grad/Professional Studies
• 12 - Grad/Professional Degree

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Marital Status
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 22 Married
• 3 Divorced
• 0 Single or Living with

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Work Outside the Home
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 10 are Sole Breadwinner in their family

• 15 are One of the Breadwinners in their family

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Number of ChildrenAges 9 months - 40 years

• 6 have
• 10
• 3

• 3
• 2
• 1

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Where they live...
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I enjoy my work with fathers.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 19 Always
• 5 Often
• 0 Sometimes
• 0 Never

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I am satisfied with the amount of time I spend
with my family.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 6 Always
• 14 Often
• 4 Sometimes
• 0 Never

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I feel tension between my family and work
responsibilities.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 0 Always
• 3 Often
• 19 Sometimes
• 4 Never

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I find it difficult to balance my work and family
life.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 1 Always
• 4 Often
• 17 Sometimes
• 3 Never

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Work-related travel makes it difficult to meet my
family/fathering...
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 0 Always
• 3 Often
• 10 Sometimes
• 5 Never
• 7 Not Applicable

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I put particular pressure on myself as a father.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 3 Always
• 5 Often
• 10 Sometimes
• 7 Never

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My partner puts particular pressure on me as a
father.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 0 Always
• 1 Often
• 6 Sometimes
• 16 Never
• 1 Not Applicable

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My child(ren) puts particular pressure on me as a
father.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 0 Always
• 0 Often
• 4 Sometimes
• 21 Never

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I am held to higher standards expectations as a
father.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 2 Always
• 6 Often
• 7 Sometimes
• 10 Never

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I hold myself to a higher standard as a parent.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 9 Always
• 8 Often
• 5 Sometimes
• 2 Never

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My parenting behavior is watched/judged more...
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 2 Always
• 4 Often
• 10 Sometimes
• 10 Never

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My work with fathers helps me to be a better dad.
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 10 Always
• 10 Often
• 2 Sometimes
• 0 Never

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Ive considered leaving my work with fathers
because
The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results

• 0 I want to earn more...
• 0 Personal/Philosophical issues...
• 0 prevents responsible fathering
• 1 Interest/skills better elsewhere
• 3 Other
• 21 Have not considered leaving

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The Paradox of Fatherhood Work Survey Results
Comments...
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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkConclusions
Recommendations

• Father/Practitioners enjoy their work
• They sometimes struggle with work/life balance
  and the time spent with family
• Father/Practitioners hold themselves to a higher
  standard as a parent
• Their work as Father/Practitioners helps them be
  better dads

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkConclusions
Recommendations

• Father/Practitioners will thrive in a workplace
  where they are appreciated, respected, and given
  flexibility
• To retain Father/Practitioners an organization
  must have supportive policies, staff, and
  environment
• Father/Practitioners are excellent role models
  for other fathers

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The Paradox of Fatherhood WorkConclusions
Recommendations

• Please participate in a brainstorming session to
  generate specific ways to hire, retain, support,
  and encourage men and fathers to work in Head
  Start
• Sign up to receive a follow-up mailing with all
  of the ideas generated during the conference.

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What Can Emu Consulting Do For You?
- We are experts in men and the male role - We
specialize in time management and work-life
balance issues - We understand how to hire,
support, involve, and retain men and fathers in
Head Start settings
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Areas of Support Provided by Doug Gertner, Ph.D.
and Emu ConsultingInvolving Fathers, Enriching
Families

• Training for Staff Members
• Focus on FathersTM Process
• Creating a Father-Friendly Environment
• Workshops for Dads
• Couples Communication
• The Grateful Dad keynotes
• Technical Assistance
• Organizational Development
• Culture Change

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Emu Consulting Three Step Focus On FathersTM
Process

• - ASSESSMENT 60 items in 7 categories
• - INTERVENTION includes training
• - ACTION PLANNING
  SUSTAINABILITY culture/climate change

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Thank you for attendingThe Paradox of Fatherhood
Work Exploring the Challenges ofDads Who Work
With Dads

• To learn more about our fatherhood assessment,
  training, and technical assistance, contact
• Doug Gertner, Ph.D.
• Emu Consulting
• 303-886-4114 doug_at_emuconsulting.com www.emuconsu
  lting.com