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Poverty and Fathering in the Inner City

Poverty and Fathering in the Inner City. Timothy Nelson. Three High Risk Neighborhoods. Population Dynamics. Fertility Union Formation and Dissolution Father involvement. Sample.

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Poverty and Fathering in the Inner City

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  1. Poverty and Fathering in the Inner City Timothy Nelson

  2. Three High Risk Neighborhoods

  3. Population Dynamics Fertility Union Formation and Dissolution Father involvement

  4. Sample • 165 low-income “non-custodial” fathers living in high poverty neighborhoods in 3 Camden and Philadelphia “neighborhoods” • 2 ½ years of ethnographic observation in one of these neighborhoods • Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study

  5. Main Argument • Very poor neighborhoods propel young men into fathering despite very precarious circumstances--circumstances which almost inevitably lead to rapid union dissolution and marked declines in father involvement over time.

  6. Andre Green Andre Green

  7. “Think back to when you first learned she was pregnant. What was your first reaction to the news?” 72% of Fathers’ Responses Happiness (Philadelphia/Camden) 75% of Fathers’ Responses Happiness (FFQA, Chicago, Milwaukee, New York) 58% of Mothers’ Responses Happiness (FFQA, Chicago, Milwaukee, New York)

  8. Why the enthusiasm for kids? Was the pregnancy planned, accidental, or somewhere in between? (Dad’s report) Camden/Philly Fathers Planned 14% Semi Planned 35% Just Not Thinking 36% Avoided 15% Qualitative Addition FF Planned 11% In Between 20% Inconsistent Contraception 21% Unplanned, Not Using Contraception 26% Contraceptive Failure 18%

  9. Precarious Circumstances • UNSTABLE RELATIONSHIPS. These romantic relationships typically just a few months old at time of conception. • LOW HUMAN CAPITAL. Men’s economic situations are precarious at best and their prospects dim. • TROUBLED. They are ften already involved in some form of crime and/or struggling with substance abuse

  10. The news from East Camden - 1995 • January • March • April • May • June • August • October • December

  11. African American Fathers

  12. White Fathers

  13. Latino Fathers

  14. Elvis

  15. What did you think your future was going to be before you had him? I wasn’t going to live past the age of 30. And then once you had him? I can’t even picture my life without Elvis in it…. I had already make a promise to myself. I had told my friends, “I don’t want to live past the age of 30. If I make it to 30, I’m going to take myself out…. He came into the picture when I was like 27, and that all changed. Everything changed. My whole life changed.

  16. Lacey

  17. What would your life be like if you hadn’t had your children? I can’t image that one. I really can’t…. Because my life without them, it would be empty. It would be empty. Because that’s what kept me going, knowing that I had to come out [of jail] and be there for them. How did you see your future before you became a father? I didn’t have no future…. I didn’t care. I lived for the moment. Did you think you would live to see 42? No. Nobody did. And that didn’t bother you? Nope. Nobody expected me to be there to see 17 . . . Did you imagine that you’d be doing something career wise? No career. I’d be a big gangster.

  18. How does the story end? • Most fathers either eagerly welcome the news of a pregnancy or welcome their children into the world with anticipation and joy. • Fragile Families Survey Results 80% are still romantically involved with mom 50% live with her 75% say there is a 50-50 or better chance of marriage Nearly all fathers plan to stay involved with the child, no matter what happens with the mother Involvement is initially very high • But--by the time they turn 15, only one in five children born outside of marriage will have a father who is involved.

  19. Andre Green: 17 Months Later

  20. Reasons for Breakup • Unstable relationships • Arguing 34% • His cheating 25% • Her cheating 18% • Not in love 13% • Domestic Violence 13% • Her mother/relatives 12% • She’s bossy or greedy 8% • He moved away 5% • Human Capital • Money 14% • Troubled • His substance abuse 34% • Incarceration 18% • Her substance abuse 14% • His crime or gang involvement 9% • Her partying 8%

  21. Barriers to Father Involvement • Unstable Relationships • Relationship difficulties 17% • Gatekeeping 13% • Mother relocation 6% • Her mother/relatives 2% • Paternity doubts 1% • Human Capital • Earnings 4% • Troubled • Substance abuse 25% • Prison 14% • Other • Distance 12% • Lacks desire 6%

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