Adolescent Mothers’ Perceptions of Fathers’ Parental Involvement: Satisfaction and Desire for Involvement*

Abstract

Grounded in family systems and ecological theories, this study examined teenage mothers' perceptions of fathers' parental involvement and the role of teenage mothers' gatekeeping beliefs. Fathers' involvement was perceived to be greater when teenage parents were romantically involved (n ¼ 55). When they no longer shared a romantic relationship (n ¼ 59), mothers' satisfaction with and desire for fathers' involvement (i.e., gatekeeping beliefs) mediated the association between mothers' perceptions of developmental and contextual factors and their perceptions of fathers' involvement. Overall, the proposed developmental-contextual model was not significant for romantically involved teenage parents. Findings underscore the need to account for and incorporate issues related to relationship status, grandparent support, historical support, and maternal gatekeeping beliefs when developing programs for adolescent parents.

No Degree, No Job: Adolescent Mothers’ Perceptions of the Impact that Adolescent Fathers’ Human Capital has on Paternal Financial and Social Capital

“…In addition, employed fathers also were more likely to be physically accessible to the children. It is possible that when fathers demonstrate their financial usefulness, adolescent mothers are more likely to perceive a future with the child's father (Fagan and Barnett 2003) and are more likely to support father-child contact (Herzog et al 2007). These results are consistent with Doherty et al (1998) who assert that maintaining a financial and physical relationship with one's child are two important aspects of being a ''responsible father.''…”

“…For example, Fagan, Schmitz, and Lloyd (2007) found that young expectant fathers and mothers who created social capital (i.e., strong parenting alliance, low couple conflict, being emotionally supportive) also were more likely to agree to marry. As well, teen mothers who share a romantic relationship with their children's father tend to report greater father-child contact and coparental interaction than those who are not romantically involved (Herzog et al 2007). However, the romantic context and the quality of the coparenting relationship may not be complementary, such that the absence of a romantic relationship with the mother may not impede father-child contact as long as they share a strong parenting alliance (Futris et al 2007).…”

Paternidade Adolescente e os Cuidados ao Bebê com até Um Ano de Idade

“…Isso pode ser fruto de uma boa relação entre pai e mãe adolescentes, uma vez que esse tipo de relação permite a construção de relacionamentos saudáveis e de uma parentalidade mais eficaz para a criação e educação da criança (Scholl, 2012). Percebe-se que a mãe pode exercer uma função catalisadora do papel paterno, ao permitir e incentivar a aproximação entre pai e bebê (Herzog, Umanã-Taylor, Madden-Derdich, & Leonard, 2007;Scholl, 2012).…”

“…Isso pode alterar o nível de responsabilidade paterna e distribuição das atividades relacionadas com o bebê (Herzog et al, 2007;Scholl, 2012). Nos casos 01 e 03, pode-se notar que as características da relação do casal não alteraram o nível de responsabilidade dos pais (união estável).…”

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“…Fatherhood is increasingly becoming a salient area of study in child health research (Coley, 2001;Hawkins et al, 2002;Hernandez & Coley, 2007). Researchers have defined positive father involvement as engagement (e.g., spending time with the child), accessibility (e.g., being available for the child, but not interacting directly with the child), and responsibility (e.g., monitoring and providing for the child; Lamb, Pleck, Charnov, & Levine, 1987). Father involvement is positively associated with increased academic success and learning outcomes, higher selfesteem and self acceptance, healthier interpersonal relationships and sexrole development, and better overall psychological wellbeing for children (Hawkins & Palkovitz, 1999;Saracho & Spodek, 2008).…”