The Role of Financial Hardship and Relational Quality on Father Involvement Among Unmarried Couples

• In Event: Research in Progress Roundtable Session 3
  In Invited Roundtable: Perspectives on Parental Engagement in Elementary and Secondary Education (Table 3)

Abstract

Unmarried parenthood impacts family dynamics and child development, with parental relationship quality crucial to the well-being of parents and children. This study examines how the relational dynamics of unmarried parents influence parent-child relationships over three years. We used Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study data to examine the associations between parental relationship quality and father-child involvement at age 3. High parental relationship quality was associated with increased father involvement with their children, while troubled relationships were linked to less father-child involvement. The findings showed the importance of supportive parental relationships for secure father-child bonds and suggested targeted interventions to enhance child development . Moreover, material hardship was not a significant factor in father involvement based on the study findings.

Authors

• Micah D Wyatt, North Carolina A&T State University

• Yudan Chen, North Carolina A&T State University