A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Involving Fathers in Children's Learning

The Vice President moderates an annual conference on family policy. Two years ago the conference focused on the role of fathers in children's lives. "We've learned that too frequently we say 'families and children' when we really mean mothers and children ... the law of unintended consequences results in the self-fulfilling prophecy of absent men." (Nancy R. Hoit, Family Policy Consultant and Advisor to the Vice President of the United States). "There seems to be an underlying assumption that fathers don't have the time or don't care". (Edward W. Pitt, Associate Director, The Fatherhood Project).

The family relief bill signed by President Clinton allows fathers time off for parenting responsibilities but few men have taken advantage of it because the corporate and cultural message sent to men is that this isn't acceptable by management or peers. The Fatherhood Project demonstrates the crucial importance of the educational setting as a bridge to fathers.

• Men are frequently quite involved but public and social policies tend to drive them underground.
• Schools need to reach out to include fathers
• We need to train teachers to think of fathers as partners in their children's education.
• We all need to work to change the message in the corporate culture to make it acceptable for fathers to take time off for parenting responsibilities.
• Society tends to stereotype men as wage earners and disciplinarians. We need to overcome these stereotypes and empower fathers to play an active and broader role in their children's lives.
• We need to recognize the role the media plays in our perception of family life and the role of fathers.
• We need to help fathers think about their role in child rearing and encourage them to consider how they can promote home based activities to build competency and confidence in their children.

Dennis Mithaug, Chairman, Department of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, moderated a panel which included Nancy Hoit, Family Policy Consultant and Advisor to the Vice President of the United States; and Edward Pitt, Associate Director of the Fatherhood Project, Families and Work Institute. This session began with a video documentary "Show Your Love" from the White House Conference on Fathers.

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