FATHERS CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR CHILDRENS SCORES ON COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS - A COMPARISON OF INTACT AND DIVORCED FAMILIES

Previous research shows that the educational performance of children m ay be impaired when their parents divorce. However, noncustodial fathe rs' postdivorce behavior, especially compliance with child support ord ers, can greatly offset educational disadvantages. The present study i nvestigated the impact of fathers' behavior on their children's perfor mance on college entrance examinations (CEEs) in a sample of 231 colle ge students. Results indicated that, in intact families, fathers' ethn icity and income were related to CEE scores. Further, when these stude nts perceived their fathers as encouraging and involved in their educa tion, their scores were higher. For students with divorced parents, ho wever, noncustodial fathers' ethnicity, income, encouragement, involve ment, child support compliance, and visitation were not statistically linked to CEE performance. These findings suggest that joint custodial arrangements, which may enhance the social relationships between fath ers and their children, may lead to improved educational outcomes.