Fatherhood and Child Well-being: The Role of Context, Perceptions of Fatherhood, and Father Involvement

• In Event: 106 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session I
  In Refereed Roundtable: A. Table 06. Family: Interrogating Motherhood and Fatherhood

Abstract

Structural equation modeling techniques are applied to panel data from the Fragile Families to inform a discussion of multiple dimensions of fatherhood as well as structural characteristics and their correlation with perceptions of fatherhood, father involvement, and child well-being. Consistent with a critical gender perspective, multiple distinct perceptions of fatherhood exist but prove difficult to measure quantitatively. Higher levels of SES and more committed relationships with birth mothers are associated with greater salience of the fathering role, higher levels of father involvement and fewer behavioral problems among children. Results also indicate that the direct effects of race/ethnicity pale in comparison to mediating effects via SES and romantic ties to birth mothers. Although perceptions of fatherhood do not directly affect child well-being, greater salience of the fathering role reduces behavioral problems indirectly by promoting higher levels of father involvement. This study contributes to our understanding of fatherhood by critically assessing how perceptions of fatherhood should be measured, complimenting the well-established body of qualitative research that links structural factors to perceptions of fatherhood, and providing a holistic picture of the linkages between structural factors, perceptions of fatherhood, father involvement, and child well-being.

Authors

• J. Bart Stykes, Bowling Green State University

• Gary Oates, Bowling Green State University