As evidenced by the  recent unveiling of the Obama Administration’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, programs and policies aimed at boys and young men of color who often face disproportionate challenges and obstacles to success are receiving increased attention among policymakers. Low-income fathers, in particular, are confronted with multidimensional challenges that may diminish their ability to provide the consistent care and financial support their children need.  Indeed, sweeping changes in family structure over recent decades have left many U.S. children without the support or involvement of their fathers. These shifts in family structure as well as the economic challenges faced by many low-income families are associated with negative outcomes for children. The fact that one in five fathers today has children with more than one woman only exacerbates these difficulties (Manlove et al., 2008). 

In 2010, Congress allocated $75 million in annual funding to support responsible fatherhood (RF) programming to promote positive parenting, greater economic stability, and healthy relationships. The PACT evaluation is measuring the impacts and implementation of four RF programs that were awarded three-year grants in 2011.  The evaluation includes an in-depth qualitative study of a subset of program participants to learn more about the characteristics and experiences of fathers served by these programs. Two-hour, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with low-income, predominantly African-American fathers. The interviews covered a variety of themes, including the fathers’ childhood and family relationships growing up, views on parenting and fatherhood, the nature of their involvement with their children, relationships with the mothers of their children, experiences in the formal and informal labor market, interactions with the child support system, and participation in RF programs.

This paper will draw on a systematic analysis of 88 in-depth qualitative interviews conducted in 2013, to paint a rich portrait of the perspectives, circumstances, experiences, attitudes, and aspirations of low-income fathers. These phenomena do not lend themselves well to quantitative research methods but are likely to be of importance to a comprehensive understanding of the motivations of low-income fathers. The paper will:

(1)   provide a nuanced description of the lives of fathers enrolled in fatherhood programs,

(2)   understand the barriers and complexity that these men face that affect their ability to father,

(3)   describe how the fatherhood programs fit within the broader context of the fathers’ lives,

(4)   discuss the implications of the findings for the design and implementation of RF programs and policies.

This paper will contribute to policymakers’ understanding of the strengths and barriers of low-income fathers and inform policies and programs intended to help them become more involved and supportive parents.  We will examine the influences that shape fathers’ experiences with parenting, romantic partners, work, and the fatherhood programs. We will examine the multiple levels of relationships that surround these fathers—their inner family circle, extended kin and social networks, organizations such as the child support system, and the broader community. By using this lens to describe fathers’ experiences, the paper will shed light on the ways that fatherhood programs might be more effective.