The complicated worlds of adolescent fathers: Implications for clinical practice, public policy, and research.

Abstract

A growing body of research has demonstrated that boys exposed to a number of risk factors have an increased probability of fathering a child during their teenage years, and that the lives of adolescent fathers are complicated and filled with a multitude of harsh realities. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the research on who becomes a teenage father, the many problems adolescent fathers experience before and after they father a child, how they respond to their duties as fathers, their multifaceted service needs, societal treatment of adolescent fathers, and the difficult challenges associated with recruiting young fathers and retaining them in service programs. Evaluation studies of service programs for adolescent fathers are summarized and critiqued, as are public policies, which have done little to ameliorate the plight of young fathers, and in some cases, have made their already troubled lives more difficult to bear. Future directions for father-friendly clinical practice, public policy, and research pertaining to adolescent fathers are recommended.

A qualitative evaluation of a Young Parents Program (YPP) – Parent and facilitator perspectives

“…Further consideration needs to occur on how future programs can include the engagement and needs of young fathers. Evidence has demonstrated the importance of the father's role with their child . However, mainstream health services are generally designed without consideration to fathering, which results in exclusion of fathers during pregnancy, birth and the subsequent father‐child experience …”

“…Young fathers as well have complex lives and require father‐friendly inclusive practice and policy. These young fathers require assistance with the transition to fatherhood; however, services are often not geared to include young fathers …”

Teen fathers: Can we really bridge the gap?

“…Although the results are beyond the scope of this commentary, it is noteworthy that counselors, as a group, reported low levels of training in working with fathers, and may miss the mark in their understanding of fathers in areas related to perceived obstacles to counseling, levels of stress, and strengths and chal lenges (McKelley & Fries, 2011). Although preliminary, the re sults are reflective of Kiselica and Kiselica's (2014) claim that many practitioners lack understanding and may have biased views of teen fathers, and we believe it is likely that these biases extend to fathers as a group. The incongruencies between fathers and therapists suggest the need to develop multicontextual understand ings of fathers, to increase the training of mental health providers to work with fathers, and to better disseminate relevant informa tion.…”

Meaning of parenting as a teenager

“…In addition, the State and the society do not offer to the adolescent man conditions that favour the exercise of paternity, since in the formulation of the public policies of adolescent pregnancy do not include the expectations and educational needs of the Adolescents and it has been conceived that the problem of adolescent pregnancy is a matter only of women. (25,26) In this regard, it is necessary to build public policies capable of recognizing the adolescent man in the exercise of paternity, and formulating them based on the experiences and meanings of the adolescents themselves, considering that the Most teenage parents try to fulfil their responsibilities and few are prepared to raise their children. (26) Adolescent Parenthood is a subject of social, governmental and public health interest, due to its impact on the adolescent Life Project and its association with other problems, such as low levels of schooling and unemployment, which does not allow to close the social gaps and, on the contrary, perpetuates inequity.…”

“…(25,26) In this regard, it is necessary to build public policies capable of recognizing the adolescent man in the exercise of paternity, and formulating them based on the experiences and meanings of the adolescents themselves, considering that the Most teenage parents try to fulfil their responsibilities and few are prepared to raise their children. (26) Adolescent Parenthood is a subject of social, governmental and public health interest, due to its impact on the adolescent Life Project and its association with other problems, such as low levels of schooling and unemployment, which does not allow to close the social gaps and, on the contrary, perpetuates inequity. (21,24) There is, however, a social potential in adolescent parents that must be evidenced through research, and the knowledge acquired in government decisionmaking should be harnessed, bringing young people closer to the spaces of Participation and social construction.…”