African American fathers in low income, urban families: Development, behavior, and home environment of their three-year-old children

This study examined the relationship between paternal roles, regardless of residence, and the well-being of 175 3-year-old children from low income, A frican American families. There were no differences in children's cognition , receptive language, behavior, or home environment related to father prese nce. Fathers (or father figures) were identified in 73% of the families, an d 64% participated in an interview and videotaped observation. The relation ships between paternal roles (parenting satisfaction, economic support, nur turance during play, child care, and household responsibilities) and childr en's cognitive skills, receptive language, behavior, and home environment w ere examined. After controlling for maternal age, education, and parenting satisfaction, there were significant relationships between paternal roles a nd each index of children's well-being, suggesting that fathers' contributi ons were unique. Fathers who were satisfied with parenting, contributed fin ancially to the family, and were nurturant during play had children with be tter cognitive and language competence; fathers who were satisfied with par enting and employed, had children with fewer behavior problems; and when fa thers were living with the child, the home was more child-centered. Neither the biological relationship of the father nor the parents' marital status entered into the models. These findings support ecological theories linking paternal involvement with children's well-being and argue for the institut ion of family-oriented policies that promote positive father involvement.