For
immediate release: April 25, 2005
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For more information contact Kenneth
Braswell at (518) 221-5184
Teenage Attitudes Towards Fatherhood Revealed in New Report
Albany, New York—In a
released report, “Teenagers and Attitudes Towards Fatherhood,”
Fathers, Incorporated explores the thoughts and attitudes of today’s
teenagers.
The report complied
after a series of focus groups with teenagers; takes a look at how
teenagers interpret the responsibilities and realities of the role of a
father. “We found that the expectations of our youth for fathers aren’t
traditionally different,” says Kenneth Braswell, Executive Director of
Fathers, Incorporated. “However we do learn that the new realities of
today’s society has put a strain how they process the relationship of
fathers and children.”
“The
reality of today’s society is that it is harder than probably ever in our
history to be a teenager. They must be smarter, faster, mature more
quickly, and handle more stress while maintaining traditional standards,”
says Braswell. Growing up in simpler times, i.e. less technology, less
media, less worldly chaos and less personal consequence; youth of the
1950’s – early 1990’s, were able to more easily avoid or disguise the
effects of certain negative life experiences. In addition, the extended
family was much more of a factor than in today’s society.
Because
of these new “stressors” and trends, adults and policy makers, service
providers, and educational institutions are encouraged to take a more
in-depth and comprehensive look at the attitudes of youth regarding
parenthood. Policies, services, and support may need to begin to reflect
a new attitude of parenting and being parented.
As part
of a process of identifying how to begin to ascertain attitudes and
opinions, Fathers, Inc. held three focus groups designed to assist in
understanding the attitudes of teenagers with regards to fatherhood. This
knowledge would be used in designing programs to address those attitudes
and opinions in an effort to interrupt the cycle of irresponsible/absentee
parenting – especially as it regards fathers.
In
December 2005, Fathers Incorporated will also publish
a book of letters
entitled "When the Tear Won't Fall." The book will compile letters from
fathers of all walks of life to speak on the intimate struggles of
fatherhood. Deadline for letter submissions is June 27th.
Forms can be obtained by visiting our website at www.fathersinc.org
Quotes:
Fathers Incorporated’s
Focus Group Report, “Teenagers And Attitudes Toward Fatherhood”,
is a masterfully crafted roadmap that will lead our youth to healing their
“Father wounds” and resolving self-esteem issues as they make their
arduous journey from childhood to adulthood. Through its very
comprehensive report, Fathers Incorporated, has identified the
causes for the “disconnect” that is occurring between the generations and
the steps that parents, concerned adults and our institutions must take to
resolve it. Fathers Incorporated is urging all of us to examine
closely the explicit and implicit messages that we convey to our children
about Fatherhood, male-female relationships, sexuality, decision-making,
success, failure and the world outside of their immediate environment.
Diane A. Sears, Managing Editor
In
Search Of Fatherhood® For And About the Fathers of the World
I’ve
seen many of these reports, task forces, commissions, men’s organizations,
crisis committees, conferences on this issue, but your summation is timely
and quite enlightening. It also contains excellent analysis, research and
reasonable conclusions that do not generalize about men, or youth, as is
often the case. I hope that it garners the audience—and action—that it
deserves.
Ronald E. Childs
Ronald
E. Childs is an award-winning writer, editor, public relations
practitioner and photographer whose work frequently appears in
Black-interest publications throughout the United States, Africa
(Ethiopia), the Caribbean, Brazil and Great Britain.
www.theomenonline.com
and
www.afriquejournal.com.
Authors of the report Kenneth Braswell and Roxanne Wright can be reached
for interviews by calling (518) 221-5184 or email
info@fathersinc.org.
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