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.