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Economically disadvantaged African American fathers: Social policy and fathering

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Abstract

Many factors potentially limit the contribution that disadvantaged African American fathers make to their children’s lives. This article attempts to examine the impact that both welfare policies and job availability have on fathering. First, social policy and job availability are discussed in terms of their effects on African American males’ presence in the home. Second, research examining the importance of African American fathering is reviewed. Next, suggestions are made for changes in social policy that are likely to improve the probability of poor African American males remaining in the home. The benefits these changes may have for chindren’s development are also discussed.

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Her research interests include subcultural influences on parenting, and relations between parenting and children’s development.

His primary research areas are the economics of income distribution and redistribution and welfare reform policy.

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Kelley, M.L., Colburn, C.B. Economically disadvantaged African American fathers: Social policy and fathering. Journal of African American Men 1, 63–74 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02692092

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