101110: Juvenile Offenders as Fathers

About the Course:

Current research offers conflicting findings regarding how, or if, fatherhood influences youth offenders’ criminal trajectories. Through repeated qualitative interviews with seven incarcerated teen fathers, this study provides insight into these young fathers’ understandings of their responsibilities toward their children and prospects for future criminal activity. Analysis reveals that these young fathers take their parental roles very seriously and identify their children as the principal motivator for desistance from crime. They also articulate substantial obstacles to achieving their paternal ideals, including financial pressure, strained relationships with their children’s mothers, and lack of male role models. Implications for social work practice are provided. COURSE SYLLABUS I. Literature Review II. Method III. Results IV. Discussion V. Implications

Journal/Publisher:

Alliance for Children and Families

Publication Date:

2007/Vol. 88, No. 2

Authors

Sarah K. S. Shannon, BA; Laura S. Abrams, PhD, MSW

About the Authors:

Doctoral Student, University of Minnesota

Assistant Professor, University of California

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about the perceptions of juvenile offenders as fathers. It is appropriate for participants with beginning and intermediate levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. Provide insight into young fathers’ understanding of their responsibilities towards their children and prospects for future criminal activity.

2. Emphasize obstacles fathers experience when trying to achieve their parental ideals including financial pressure, strained relationships with their children’s mothers, and lack of male role models.