professional resources > research documents
The Resource Bank: Articles and essays based on fatherhood research
Professional fatherhood resources are divided into the following categories:
General Fatherhood Information
Legal Topics
Early Education / Early Childhood
Teen Fathers
Male Socialization
Incarcerated Fathers
Child Welfare
Infants, Maternity, and Prenatal Development
Unmarried Fathers / Fragile Families
MFFN's Publications
General Fatherhood Information
Healthy Fatherhood Discourse
Talking about healthy fatherhood is made easier with this 2-page document which promotes language that embraces healthy fatherhood through the promotion of healthy children, families, and communities. Download here. (August 2007)
Including Fathers in Program Delivery
This 2-page document provides a 3-step process for creating father inclusive program services. Download here. (November 2007)
Fathers to the Forefront
This 5-year action plan promotes concrete steps for agencies / organizations to increase father-friendly and father-inclusive programs and policies in four arenas: education, services & support, public policy and research. Download here. (July 2007)
Do We Count Fathers In Minnesota?
This 80-page report examines the health and well-being of Minnesota's fathers and families. The report includes an introduction that examines the importance of fatherhood, statistics about Minnesota's fathers, and recommendations for promoting healthy fatherhood. Available here. (Feb. 2007)
Why Work with Fathers?
View the slide presentation from Adrienne Burgess, Fathers Direct, London, England. Ms. Burgess presented at MFFN's fourth annual conference in 2007. The presentation discusses England's three-pronged approach for promoting fatherhood: child well-being, gender equity and men's development. The 19-page document is available here (January 2007).
Benefits of Father Involvement
This brief document highlights key information for fathers and fatherhood practitioners interested in learning the basics about the Benefits of Father Involvement.
Agency Self Assessment Questions
How well is your agency or organization meeting the needs of fathers? What services and programs do you offer that are father-friendly? This brief questionnaire from the Washington State Fathers Network can help you evaluate your own readiness to meet the needs of dads. Available here.
Talking about healthy fatherhood is made easier with this 2-page document which promotes language that embraces healthy fatherhood through the promotion of healthy children, families, and communities. Download here. (August 2007)
Including Fathers in Program Delivery
This 2-page document provides a 3-step process for creating father inclusive program services. Download here. (November 2007)
Fathers to the Forefront
This 5-year action plan promotes concrete steps for agencies / organizations to increase father-friendly and father-inclusive programs and policies in four arenas: education, services & support, public policy and research. Download here. (July 2007)
Do We Count Fathers In Minnesota?
This 80-page report examines the health and well-being of Minnesota's fathers and families. The report includes an introduction that examines the importance of fatherhood, statistics about Minnesota's fathers, and recommendations for promoting healthy fatherhood. Available here. (Feb. 2007)
Why Work with Fathers?
View the slide presentation from Adrienne Burgess, Fathers Direct, London, England. Ms. Burgess presented at MFFN's fourth annual conference in 2007. The presentation discusses England's three-pronged approach for promoting fatherhood: child well-being, gender equity and men's development. The 19-page document is available here (January 2007).
Benefits of Father Involvement
This brief document highlights key information for fathers and fatherhood practitioners interested in learning the basics about the Benefits of Father Involvement.
Agency Self Assessment Questions
How well is your agency or organization meeting the needs of fathers? What services and programs do you offer that are father-friendly? This brief questionnaire from the Washington State Fathers Network can help you evaluate your own readiness to meet the needs of dads. Available here.
Top 5 legal things for practitioners to know when working with unmarried fathers
This 4-page document highlights legal issues for social service workers to know when working with Minnesota's fathers. Revised February 2008.
Unmarried Fathers' Guide to Paternity, Custody, Parenting Time and Child Support in Minnesota
This 46 page document, updated in September 2007, provides step-by-step details about how fathers can establish legal fatherhood. Online here.
Policies Affecting Gay Fathers
The Father Involvement Research Alliance (Canada) explores policy issues that impact gay fathers. Online here.
Working with the military on establishing paternity and enforcing child support
Available from CLASP, September 2004.
The Fatherhood Factor in Permanency Planning
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, Univ. of Minnesota , March 2004. Available here.
Father Involvement Resources for Child Welfare Agencies
This document is from the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice (2002).
This 4-page document highlights legal issues for social service workers to know when working with Minnesota's fathers. Revised February 2008.
Unmarried Fathers' Guide to Paternity, Custody, Parenting Time and Child Support in Minnesota
This 46 page document, updated in September 2007, provides step-by-step details about how fathers can establish legal fatherhood. Online here.
Policies Affecting Gay Fathers
The Father Involvement Research Alliance (Canada) explores policy issues that impact gay fathers. Online here.
Working with the military on establishing paternity and enforcing child support
Available from CLASP, September 2004.
The Fatherhood Factor in Permanency Planning
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, Univ. of Minnesota , March 2004. Available here.
Father Involvement Resources for Child Welfare Agencies
This document is from the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice (2002).
Incarcerated Fathers
Cradle to Prison Pipeline Campaign
The Children's Defense Fund promotes this campaign as a way to stop the cycle of incarceration for America's children who are raised in poverty.
Marriage impacts reentry
Read about a study that links ex-offender success to partner relationship status, in MFFN's May 2009 newsletter.
Transitions Roundtable: A focus on fatherhood after incarceration
Final Report available here includes highlights of the day and recommendations for future action (11 pages, June 2005).
Families Left Behind: The Hidden Costs of Incarceration and Reentry
This research report from the Urban Institute, published in October 2003, examines how the criminal justice system affects children through the imprisonment of nearly three-quarters of a million parents. View the report here.
Early Education / Early Childhood
Dads and Early Literacy
Learn 10 steps for involving fathers in the early literacy development of their children. Download a 2-page guide (August 2006).
Dads and Early Literacy - Research Review
PowerPoint presentation from Fall Seminar Series 2005, "Connecting dads and children through literacy and early education" (Available here, 11 pages, October 2005).
The Father's Role
Sesame Street’s parent-experts discuss how fathers help their children grow. By Dr. Charles Flatter, Dr. James M. Herzog, Dr. Phyllis Tyson and Katherine Ross (online here).
Early Childhood Family Education - and - Family Education Classes
View two brief reviews of information for family services practitioners and fatherhood advocates. One document highlights basic recommendations for making a father-friendly Early Childhood Family Education program; another document details tips and resources for staffing a father-friendly parent education class (February 2004).
Father Involvement in Early Literacy
“Father Involvement and Children's Early Literacy and Language”, produced for Region V Administration for Children and Families, offers best practices and lessons learned for fatherhood/male involvement programs in diverse communities in 6 Midwestern states. November 2004.
Head Start Resources on Father Involvement
This assessment, for Early Childhood Education Programs, is located on the Head Start Information and Publication Center website. Click here.
Positive Father-Child Involvement Found Among Early Head Start Families
Mathematica, Inc., Princeton, NJ, May 2003
A study of fathers of newborns involved in the Early Head Start program found fathers were involved with their children in multiple positive ways, despite difficulties that included parenting stress, financial problems, and symptoms of depression. (Click here.)
Learn 10 steps for involving fathers in the early literacy development of their children. Download a 2-page guide (August 2006).
Dads and Early Literacy - Research Review
PowerPoint presentation from Fall Seminar Series 2005, "Connecting dads and children through literacy and early education" (Available here, 11 pages, October 2005).
The Father's Role
Sesame Street’s parent-experts discuss how fathers help their children grow. By Dr. Charles Flatter, Dr. James M. Herzog, Dr. Phyllis Tyson and Katherine Ross (online here).
Early Childhood Family Education - and - Family Education Classes
View two brief reviews of information for family services practitioners and fatherhood advocates. One document highlights basic recommendations for making a father-friendly Early Childhood Family Education program; another document details tips and resources for staffing a father-friendly parent education class (February 2004).
Father Involvement in Early Literacy
“Father Involvement and Children's Early Literacy and Language”, produced for Region V Administration for Children and Families, offers best practices and lessons learned for fatherhood/male involvement programs in diverse communities in 6 Midwestern states. November 2004.
Head Start Resources on Father Involvement
- Head Start has a variety of resources for engaging fathers and for understanding the importance of men in early child development. The resources include working with Native American fathers, engaging young fathers, helping dads through the first years of parenthood, starting your own fatherhood program, and much more. Online here.
- The National Head Start Institute on Father Involvement also offers numerous opportunities for father-engagement. Click here
for details
(be sure to also click on the "resources" tab).
This assessment, for Early Childhood Education Programs, is located on the Head Start Information and Publication Center website. Click here.
Positive Father-Child Involvement Found Among Early Head Start Families
Mathematica, Inc., Princeton, NJ, May 2003
A study of fathers of newborns involved in the Early Head Start program found fathers were involved with their children in multiple positive ways, despite difficulties that included parenting stress, financial problems, and symptoms of depression. (Click here.)
Promising Teen Fatherhood Programs
This 8-page brief from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse highlights promising program practices for working with teen fathers (Sept. 2008).
Working with Young Fathers
This 2-page document highlights key issues for practitioners who are working with young fathers (May 2004).
Public Policies Affecting Young Fathers
The Father Involvement Research Alliance (Canada) explores public policy issues that impact young fathers. Online here.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has a variety of resources available related to preventing pregnancy among boys and young men. Available here.
Involving Males in Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Information from Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting (MOAPPP), available here. Also, see statistics about age differences between teen mothers and fathers, click here.
This 8-page brief from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse highlights promising program practices for working with teen fathers (Sept. 2008).
Working with Young Fathers
This 2-page document highlights key issues for practitioners who are working with young fathers (May 2004).
Public Policies Affecting Young Fathers
The Father Involvement Research Alliance (Canada) explores public policy issues that impact young fathers. Online here.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has a variety of resources available related to preventing pregnancy among boys and young men. Available here.
Involving Males in Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Information from Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting (MOAPPP), available here. Also, see statistics about age differences between teen mothers and fathers, click here.
Book Review: Boys Adrift
Read about Leonard Sax's book, "Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men." In the November 2007 issue of Network Notes.
Beer, Butts, Babes, and Boys: Moving from the Boycode to Uncommon Manhood
View the keynote presentation from MFFN's 4th annual winter conference, as presented by Tom Klaus from Advocates for Youth. Document available here. (January 2007)
Male Socialization Roundtable: Why the Fathers of Tommorow Need our Attention Today
View the notes and the web links to resource documents from MFFN's 2005 roundtable meeting on Male Socialization. Click here for details.
Read about Leonard Sax's book, "Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men." In the November 2007 issue of Network Notes.
Beer, Butts, Babes, and Boys: Moving from the Boycode to Uncommon Manhood
View the keynote presentation from MFFN's 4th annual winter conference, as presented by Tom Klaus from Advocates for Youth. Document available here. (January 2007)
Male Socialization Roundtable: Why the Fathers of Tommorow Need our Attention Today
View the notes and the web links to resource documents from MFFN's 2005 roundtable meeting on Male Socialization. Click here for details.
Fathers' Rights and Roles
This issue of Rise Magazine, by and for parents in the New York child welfare system, addresses parents' perspectives of father involvement. Online here (Spring 2009).
Fathers as a Resource for Children in the Child Protection System
The Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section published this article in Family Law Forum. Online here (Fall 2008).
Child Protection Workers: Engaging Fathers
This 2-page InfoSheet discusses research on child welfare agencies' efforts to identify, locate, and involve nonresident fathers. Available here (August 2008).
National Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System
The National Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System (QIC NRF) is a collaborative effort of various organizations. QIC NRF is working to determine, through a research design, the impact of non-resident father involvement on child welfare outcomes. More here.
Non-Resident Father Involvement and Child Welfare
More About the Dads is a resource document published by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. It explores child welfare case outcomes as they relate to non-resident father involvement. Available here (Feb. 2008).
Fathering After Violence
The Family Violence Prevention Fund offers a framework for enhancing the safety and well-being of women and children by motivating men to renounce their violence and become better fathers. Online here.
This issue of Rise Magazine, by and for parents in the New York child welfare system, addresses parents' perspectives of father involvement. Online here (Spring 2009).
Fathers as a Resource for Children in the Child Protection System
The Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section published this article in Family Law Forum. Online here (Fall 2008).
Child Protection Workers: Engaging Fathers
This 2-page InfoSheet discusses research on child welfare agencies' efforts to identify, locate, and involve nonresident fathers. Available here (August 2008).
National Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System
The National Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System (QIC NRF) is a collaborative effort of various organizations. QIC NRF is working to determine, through a research design, the impact of non-resident father involvement on child welfare outcomes. More here.
Non-Resident Father Involvement and Child Welfare
More About the Dads is a resource document published by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. It explores child welfare case outcomes as they relate to non-resident father involvement. Available here (Feb. 2008).
Fathering After Violence
The Family Violence Prevention Fund offers a framework for enhancing the safety and well-being of women and children by motivating men to renounce their violence and become better fathers. Online here.
Infants, Maternity, and Prenatal Development
Unmarried Dads: Pre-natal involvement, not marriage, ties knot
The University of Maryland explores recent research showing that unmarried father engagement must begin prenatally for higher levels of involvement. More here (December 2008).
Maternal and Child Health explores fatherhood
The University of Minnesota's Maternal and Child Health Studies in the School of Public Health issued this extensive issue of its newsletter, Healthy Generations, focused exclusively on topics related to fatherhood. Download here (May 2008).
Research questions value of "magic moment" at birth
MFFN's May 2008 Network Notes explores research which asks whether the "magic moment" is an appropriate way to examine new fathers' involvement with their children. Available here (May 2008).
The Dad Deficit: The missing piece of the maternity jigsaw
London's Fatherhood Institute has compiled a review of recent research which shows how fathers positively impact infants and mothers prenatally and immediately following the birth of a new child. The research review is available here (April 2008). Plus, visit the Fatherhood Institute's extensive resources on its Maternity Services page.
The University of Maryland explores recent research showing that unmarried father engagement must begin prenatally for higher levels of involvement. More here (December 2008).
Maternal and Child Health explores fatherhood
The University of Minnesota's Maternal and Child Health Studies in the School of Public Health issued this extensive issue of its newsletter, Healthy Generations, focused exclusively on topics related to fatherhood. Download here (May 2008).
Research questions value of "magic moment" at birth
MFFN's May 2008 Network Notes explores research which asks whether the "magic moment" is an appropriate way to examine new fathers' involvement with their children. Available here (May 2008).
The Dad Deficit: The missing piece of the maternity jigsaw
London's Fatherhood Institute has compiled a review of recent research which shows how fathers positively impact infants and mothers prenatally and immediately following the birth of a new child. The research review is available here (April 2008). Plus, visit the Fatherhood Institute's extensive resources on its Maternity Services page.
Unmarried Fathers / Fragile Families
Changing Patterns of Nonmarital Childbearing in the United States
This
report, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
examines data on nonmarital births from the National Vital Statistics
System (NVSS). The principal measures reviewed are the number of births
to unmarried women, the birth rate for unmarried women, and the
percentage of all births to unmarried women. Available here (May 2009).
Unmarried Father Involvement
MFFN's InfoSheet #16 examines some of the key data about unmarried fathers and their father-child relationships. Online here (November 2008).
Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing
The
Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study is following a cohort of
nearly 5,000 children born mostly to unmarried parents. The study was
designed to primarily address four questions: (1) What are the
conditions and capabilities of unmarried parents, especially fathers?;
(2) What is the nature of the relationships between unmarried parents?;
(3) How do children born into these families fare?; and (4) How do
policies and environmental conditions affect families and children? See
the study homepage, here.
Network Notes: MFFN’s quarterly newsletter
May 2009: Lead articles: President Obama's fatherhood agenda. Marriage impacts reentry.
February 2009: Lead article: Federal funding supports Minnesota fatherhood programs
November 2008: Lead articles: Family-work relationships and Minn. Supreme Court decisions
August 2008: Lead articles: Recent decisions by Minn. Legislature and Supreme Court
May 2008: Lead articles: Two articles discuss research related to new fathers
February 2008: Lead article: Awards honor Minnesota's fatherhood advocates
November 2007: Lead article: "Boys Adrift" book review
August 2007: Lead articles: Legislation affects fathers in Minnesota; Action plan promotes broad involvement in healthy fatherhood field
May 2007: Lead articles: Father's Day in Duluth and Earned Income Tax Credit for fathers
February 2007: Lead article: Fatherhood awards honor six programs and individuals
November 2006: Lead article: Federal funds promote responsible fatherhood
August 2006: Lead article: Minn. Family Formation Project
May 2006: Lead article: Seven Core Learnings about Fatherhood
February 2006: Lead article: Minnesota's statewide men's counseling hotline
November 2005: Lead article: The role of fathers in early literacy development
August 2005: Lead article: Working with fathers as they exit correctional facilities
May 2005: Lead article: Programs and projects that address family law for fathers
February 2005
November 2004
August 2004
May 2004
February 2004
November 2003
August 2003
InfoSheets: Brief topical introductions to fatherhood
#16: Unmarried Father Involvement (November 2008)
#15: Child Protection Workers: Engaging Fathers (August 2008)
#14: Lessons from Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives (Feb. 2008)
#13: Including fathers in program delivery: Hierarchy of father involvement (Nov. 2007)
#12: Key messages for healthy fatherhood discourse (August 2007)
#11: Male Socialization: How boys learn to be men (May 2007)
#10: Generative Fathering: What is a good father? (November 2006)
#9: Dads and Early Literacy Development (August 2006)
#8: Preparing for Father Work (February 2006)
#7: Hosting a Family Law Clinic (May 2005)
#6: Helping Fathers with Child Support Modifications (August 2004)
#5: Father's Day - Everyday: A guide for dads (June 2004) Día del Padre—Todos los Días
#4: Working with Young Fathers (May 2004)
#3: Positive Father Involvement (May 2004)
#2: Staffing a Parent Education Class for Fathers (Feb. 2004)
#1: Early Childhood Family Education (Feb. 2004)
#16: Unmarried Father Involvement (November 2008)
#15: Child Protection Workers: Engaging Fathers (August 2008)
#14: Lessons from Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives (Feb. 2008)
#13: Including fathers in program delivery: Hierarchy of father involvement (Nov. 2007)
#12: Key messages for healthy fatherhood discourse (August 2007)
#11: Male Socialization: How boys learn to be men (May 2007)
#10: Generative Fathering: What is a good father? (November 2006)
#9: Dads and Early Literacy Development (August 2006)
#8: Preparing for Father Work (February 2006)
#7: Hosting a Family Law Clinic (May 2005)
#6: Helping Fathers with Child Support Modifications (August 2004)
#5: Father's Day - Everyday: A guide for dads (June 2004) Día del Padre—Todos los Días
#4: Working with Young Fathers (May 2004)
#3: Positive Father Involvement (May 2004)
#2: Staffing a Parent Education Class for Fathers (Feb. 2004)
#1: Early Childhood Family Education (Feb. 2004)
Do We Count Fathers In Minnesota? This 80-page report examines the health and well-being of Minnesota's fathers and families. The report includes an introduction that examines the importance of fatherhood, statistics about Minnesota's fathers, and recommendations for promoting healthy fatherhood.
Available here, Feb. 2007
Top 5 Legal Issues for Practitioners to Know When Working with Unmarried Fathers
4 pages, revised February 2008
Unmarried Fathers' Guide to Paternity, Custody, Parenting Time and Child Support in Minnesota
46 pages, revised September 2007
Fathers to the Forefront: A five-year plan to strengthen Minnesota families
25 pages, July 2007
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Supervised Parenting Time and Other "Visitation" Services
4 pages, November 2006