It’s a Man’s World…Or is it?: Women Working in the Fatherhood Field

1. Sheila D. Bazemore, M A Ed. Family Involvement Consultant Office of School Readiness NC Dept. of Public Instruction 919-431-1691 telephone 919-218-3600 mobile 919-855-6840 fax Sheila.bazemore@ncmail.net fatherhoodnc@gmail.com It’s a Man’s World…Or is it?:Women Working in the Fatherhood Field NPCL Conference 2008

2. This is a man's world, This is a man's world But it would be nothing, Nothing without a woman to care. James Brown NPCL Conference 2008

3. Session Objectives: • To explore the strengths and limitations of women working with men/fathers. • To discuss personal and societal issues which shape perceptions of men/fathers. • To examine case material from successful female led initiatives that work with men/fathers. NPCL Conference 2008

4. Barriers to Male Participation: • Pragmatic/structural program issues • Family demographics (marital status/income) • Father characteristics (education, experiences, service interventions) • Father’s perception parenting competence NPCL Conference 2008

5. Context of Fatherhood Services: • Work Skills, Self-Sufficiency and Employment • Responsible Fatherhood/Sexual Risk/Disease Prevention • Healthy Relationships and Co-parenting Skill Development NPCL Conference 2008

6. Group Activity NPCL Conference 2008

7. Examining our baggage: NPCL Conference 2008

8. Connecting with men: • Establishing parenting and pre-release programs in prisons. • Maximizing traditional points of contact: schools, recreation centers, churches, job placement offices, malls, basketball courts, health/human services, & childcare programs. • Advocates at DV programs/family courts NPCL Conference 2008

9. Effective Practice: • Incorporate teaching methods and materials that are appropriate for fathers and the cultures/populations served • Identify teachers/leaders who believe in potentiality of the men/program they are implementing (on-going training) • Staff/participant ratio is monitored and “doable” • Utilize a targeted curricula (with extensive training) • No cookie cutter treatment plan/service delivery (personalized service) • Commitment to service/low turnover • Develop professional, but personal relationships with participants • Recognize and utilize staff strengths • Acknowledge there are some limitations to service delivery NPCL Conference 2008

10. References and Resources: National Women’s Law Center and Center on Fathers, Families, and Public Policy, (2002), Dollars and sense: Improving the determination of child support obligations for low-income mothers, fathers, and children, Washington, DC: National Women’s Law Center and the Center on Fathers, Families, and Public Policy. Promising Practices Network (2007), Promising Practices Network on Children, Youth, and Families. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from www.promisingpractices.net. Roy, K. (2004). You can’t eat love: Negotiating provider role expectations for low income fathers and families. Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research and Practice abot Men as Fathers, 2, 253-276. The Fatherhood Initiative. (2005) Improving opportunities for low income fathers. Washington, DC: US Dpt. Of Health & Human Services. US Dept HHS (2006). Promoting Responsible Fatherhood: Ecomonic Stability. (http://fatherhood.hhs.gov/Stability/index.shtml) NPCL Conference 2008

11. It a Man’s World (James Brown) This is a man's world, This is a man's world But it would be nothing, Nothing without a woman to care You see man made the cars, To take us over the world Man made the train, To carry the heavy load Man made the electro lights, To take us out of the dark Man made the bullet for the war, Like Noah made the ark This is a man's man's, man's world But it would be nothing, Nothing without a woman to care Man thinks of our little baby girls And the baby boys Man make them happy 'Cause man makes them toys And a man make everything, everything he can You know that man makes money to buy from other man This is a man's world But it would be nothing, nothing Not one little thing Without a woman to care He's lost in the wilderness, He's lost in the bitterness He's lost, lost and... NPCL Conference 2008