Mayra Mendez Sociology 4 Young Dads: The Effects on a Parenting Program When we come across the word adolescent parent’s society usually tends to focus more on the mother. There are many mother-baby programs available to help the mothers in this new chapter in their lives. But have you ever wondered if there are any programs available for only the fathers? In Carl Mazza’s article, he states that there are programs that provide young fathers with information on how to prevent pregnancy. In reality do we really think that’s enough? In the article they discuss about a study that focuses on the impact of individualized social work intervention with African-American teenage fathers. The study measures different variables that would be considered a problem for the fathers. The study sample was composed of 60 urban African American fathers living in lower income neighborhoods in New York. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups an experimental and a control group. All were first time fathers between the ages of 16 and 18 years old. An interview schedule was administered to both groups at two different times. The first time the fathers were interviewed they were asked to measure their current perceptions on themselves and their relationship with their children. They were also asked about their ideas on fatherhood and their goals for the individual/group future. The counseling, experimental group educational/vocational received referrals weekly and cultural/recreational activities. However, the control group was only offered weekly group parenting skills. After six months the subjects were interview again and they were asked the same questions from the previous interview. Employment had a huge increase the second time the subjects were interviewed. 97% of the subjects in the experimental group stated that they were employed. In the control group only 31% stated that they were employed. Regarding expectations for the future the experimental group had a higher percentage than the control group. The use of contraceptives was also measured and the results indicated that 90% of the subjects in the experimental group always or often used birth control. The control group indicated that 73% of the time they always or often used contraceptives. This variable was found to have an increase the second time around the fathers were interviewed. The experimental group had a higher success rate because the fathers recognized the importance of their role in raising and caring for a child. Most importantly they took precautions on how to prevent another pregnancy. The experimental group also benefited from new friendships that resulted from the interactions within the program. The control group did not experience any changed at all in any of the variables measured. The services provided assumed that the fathers would become better parents by just obtaining parenting information. The subjects in the control group did not have the opportunity to recognize their own strengths and potential. In conclusion, this study shows that programs that only focus on teaching parenting skills to young fathers is ineffective. Young African-American fathers need therapeutic social work relationships so they can discover their strengths. They also need other services such as educational/vocational referral, medical care and group counseling. If programs provided all this services to young fathers it would have a huge impact on their lives and on their children.