The 5 Factors that Predict a Lack of Dad's Involvement
Delaware Fatherhood and Family Coalition - Thursday, July 21, 2016
Posted by Christopher A. Brown
Last week I wrote about research that shows how important dad's presence is at the birth of his child.
Specifically, his presence increases the likelihood his child will be a healthy newborn. It also means mom is likely to be healthier.
On the other hand, when dad is absent, baby and mom are less likely to be healthy.
But what happens after the birth? How involved is dad at the earliest stage of his child's life? Those are two vital questions because, as we know, a child with an involved dad is more likely to grow up healthy physically, emotionally, and socially.
Another excellent research brief from the Child & Family Research Partnership at the University of Texas at Austin reveals the proportion of dads who are involved and not involved. It also reveals the factors that predict a lack of involvement.
Analyzing data from the same sample of 800 unmarried Texas moms that pointed to the importance of dad's presence at birth, researchers found that 27% of unmarried dads were completely uninvolved in their child's life a mere three months after their child's birth. (For details on how the researchers defined and measured involvement, read the research brief.) The good news, of course, is that nearly three quarters of the unmarried dads were involved.
Nevertheless, that's more than 200 children with an absent dad.
