Poor Unwed Fathers and Educational Involvement: Perspectives, Expectations, and Strategies

• In Event: 207 - Section on Sociology of Education Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 02. Parental Involvement

Abstract

This qualitative study represents a first in-depth look at the perspectives, educational expectations, and parenting strategies of poor, nonmarital fathers from urban Wisconsin. Drawing on ethnographic interview data with 16 poor, unwed fathers, this study shows that despite persistent poverty, the lack of a father presence in their own homes, and their own low levels of educational attainment, these fathers wanted to be involved in their children’s lives and they had high educational expectations for their children. Yet, these fathers’ values and expectations manifested in three very different parenting strategies.

Author

• Kia Noel Sorensen, University of Wisconsin-Madison