Longitudinal Patterns of Nonresident Fathers’ Involvement: The Role of Resources and Relations

Abstract

Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we examined patterns of nonresident father involvement 1 and 3 years after a nonmarital birth (N = 893). Cluster analyses were used to determine patterns of involvement across different father behaviors. About half of fathers displayed low involvement when children were 1 and 3 years old, one fourth of fathers maintained high involvement, and equal remaining proportions increased or decreased involvement over time. Multinomial logistic analyses indicated that better relationships between parents were associated with consistently high versus low involvement. Better relationships with each others’ extended family also predicted remaining highly involved and increasing involvement over time. Parents’ romantic relationship status was closely associated with patterns of involvement.

Familles et réseau familial extra-résidentiel : une réflexion sur les limites de la définition statistique de la famille

“…Ces facteurs sont d'ordre socio-démographique, tels le type d'union, la durée écoulée depuis la séparation du couple, l'âge des enfants, la trajectoire conjugale des parents, la distance entre les résidences Swiss et Le Bourdais, 2009). D'autres sont d'ordre social ou psycho-social : le niveau d'éducation des parents et le revenu des mères et des pères (Swiss et Le Bourdais, 2009) ; les conditions de garde des enfants établies au moment de la séparation, tant légales qu'informelles, la garde partagée, la perception du désir du partenaire de partager la garde, l'éva-luation des qualités parentales (Acoca, 2004 ;Beaudry et Parent, 1996), le degré de satisfaction des parents à l'égard des modalités de garde (Swiss et Le Bourdais, 2009) ; la qualité de la relation entre les parents séparés et les liens avec leurs familles d'origine (Ryan et al, 2008). Cependant, les statistiques concrètes qui identifient les familles occultent le fait que le parent non résidant conserve souvent des liens d'intensité variable avec ses enfants, en limitant la famille aux membres qui vivent sous le même toit.…”

Longitudinal Patterns of Unmarried Resident Fathers' Engagement with Young Children in the U.S.: Examining the Role of Ethnicity and Extended Family Relationship

“…Ryan et al (2008) thus suggested that a father's engagement with children was associated with his relationships with his extended family members including his own parents and the mother's parents. Ryan et al (2008) found that the quality of relationships with extended family members was associated with changes in father engagement over time. More positive relationships that fathers have with their extended family members were associated positively with father engagement over time.…”

“…Accordingly, a father's relationship with his parents influences his paternal engagement with children because of intergenerational learning in families (Johnson, 2001). Furthermore, Ryan, Kalil, and Ziol-Guest (2008) suggested that if fathers have positive relationships with the mothers' parents, grandparents may actively encourage the father to maintain strong engagement with their children based on the perspective of family systems theory. Ryan et al (2008) thus suggested that a father's engagement with children was associated with his relationships with his extended family members including his own parents and the mother's parents.…”

“…Furthermore, Ryan, Kalil, and Ziol-Guest (2008) suggested that if fathers have positive relationships with the mothers' parents, grandparents may actively encourage the father to maintain strong engagement with their children based on the perspective of family systems theory. Ryan et al (2008) thus suggested that a father's engagement with children was associated with his relationships with his extended family members including his own parents and the mother's parents. Ryan et al (2008) found that the quality of relationships with extended family members was associated with changes in father engagement over time.…”

“…Family systems theory suggests that the quality of relationships between the father and the mother's parents could affect father engagement; if fathers have positive relationships with the mothers' parents, grandparents may actively support the father to maintain strong engagement with their children (Ryan, Kalil, & Ziol-Guest, 2008). This study examines the role of ethnicity and extended family relationship in the longitudinal patterns of unmarried resident fathers' engagement with young children, using a panel data, the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS).…”