Lead: A paternity education program targeted towards middle school children makes a difference.

Brief Synopsis
Long gone are the days where parent education takes place in the family. The Dads Make A Difference program, a four-week program in the Medford area, is a paternity education curriculum that teaches middle school students about fatherhood. Taught by trained high school students, this program involves both girls and boys in teaching about the responsibilities of fathers of any age. Recent studies show that in teenage pregnancies, fatherhood has been virtually ignored. This program directly combats this problem, and in its third year of existence, the pregnancy rate at Medford High has dropped from 20-22 pregnancies a year to only 3 so far in the 1998-99 school year. Program director Sharyn Lattaise says, "I’d like to think it’s because of these programs, but I don’t have time to do the research. But there have been dramatic drops."

Relevant Program
Dads Make A Difference
Medford High School
781-393-2210

Story Contact

Sharyn LaHaise
Dads Make A Difference
Medford High School
781-393-2210

Expert Contacts
Robin J. Palkovitz, Ph.D.
University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
150 South College Ave. Newark, DE 19716
(302)831-8859
robp@udel.edu
Palkovitz is an expert on fatherhood.

David E. Drucker
Managing Director
Father’s Word, Inc.
P.O. Box 433
Massapequa, NY 11758-0433
(516)541-1116
webmaster@fathersworld.com
Drucker can discuss the father’s role in the home and increasing father’s involvement in child care.

Alan Hawkins
Assistant Professor of Family Sciences
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
(801)378-7088
alan_hawkins@byu,edu
Hawkins studies fatherhood and the father’s involvement in child care and household work.

Background

While testing for teenage fathers fertility, depression, and parental satisfaction, as compared to men who first fathered in their 20s, it was found that teenage fathers had significantly greater rates of fertility and depression, as well as higher levels of parental satisfaction in comparison to fathers in their 20s. (Heath, D. Terri; McKenry, Patrick C.; & Leigh, Geoffrey K. (1995). The consequences of adolescent parenthood on men’s depression, parental satisfaction, and fertility in adulthood. Journal of Social Service Research. Vol. 20 (3-4), 127-148.)

This study evaluated the Hull House Adolescent Family Life Project, a program for pregnant and parenting teenagers in Chicago. 335 teenagers in four years used the program, and results show that knowledge increased in the areas of sexuality, contraception, child development, and parenting. There was also a significant increase in the use of birth control. (Marsh, Jeanne & Wirick, Molly. (1991). Evaluation of Hull House Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Program. Evaluation & Program Planning. Vol. 14 (1-2), 46-61.)

Exploring involvement of adolescent fathers in upbringing of the child, this study interviewed 173 fathers, 167 mothers, 76 paternal grandmothers, and 79 maternal grandmothers. 54% of teen fathers and 70% of teen mothers met the definition of involvement. Disinterest in childrearing most consistently predicted uninvolvement. Of those fathers who cited disinterest, there was an association with lack of money and knowledge of child care. (Rhein, Lawrence M.; et al. (Oct. 1997). Teen father participation in child rearing: Family perspectives. Journal of Adolescent Health. Vol. 21 (4), 244-252.)

Teen fathers are found to complete less years of school and are less likely to finish high school than men that are not teenage fathers. (Pirog-Good, Maureen A. (Dec. 1996). The education and labor market outcomes of adolescent fathers. Youth & Society. Vol. 28 (2), 236-262.)

A study confirms related findings of an association between delinquency and young fatherhood. 506 adolescent males aged 12-13 years in Pittsburgh were followed through their early twenties. Young fathers (males who fathered before the age of 19) were found to be twice as likely to be delinquent than nonfathers of the group. In addition, delinquency did not decrease after becoming a father. (Stouthamer-Loeber, Magda & Wei, Evelyn H. (Jan. 1998). The precursors of young fatherhood and its effects on delinquency of teenage males. Journal of Adolescent Health. Vol. 22 (1), 56-65.)

Related Coverage
Reeves, Frank & Shelly, Peter. (March 5, 1998). PA. to back sex abstinence teaching. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Talks about a series of programs being implemented to promote abstinence in young people.

Stewart, Mark. (February 22, 1998). Responsibility making a man out of Rice. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Discusses the life of a teenage father in Wisconsin.

Strauss, John. (May 5, 1998). Students receive rewards for award-winning essays; Subjects range from teen-age fatherhood, to helping a friend avoid suicide, to a sick mom. The Indianapolis Star.
"A high school senior’s essay about the ‘terrifying’ experience of becoming an unwed father won first place and a $1,000 scholarship."

Wolf, Richard. (June 19, 1998). Movement is helping fatherhood to health. USA Today.
Programs targeted to better fathering increase.

-Compiled by Priya Luthra