Lost and Found

To mark this year's Father's Day, our review of the week examines and compares case studies of young fathers

Posted on June 14, 2021 in Review of the Week

Lost and Found: Young Fathers in the Age of Unwed Parenthood

Florsheim, Paul. by Paul Florsheim and David Moore Oxford, 2020
432p bibl index, 9780190865016 $29.95, 9780190865030

Two clinical psychologists who are also academics, Florsheim (Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and Moore (Univ. of Puget Sound), here compare and contrast two young-parent populations, drawn from urban poor Chicago neighborhoods and middle-class Salt Lake City, through interviews conducted with young fathers and mothers aged 15 to 24. Some of these young parents have mental health problems, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and/or have suffered family and relationship violence, left high school before graduating, served time in jail or prison, are homeless, and more. They were recruited through prenatal clinics where pregnant women were asked to bring their partners, who were then followed up one and two years after the babies were born to answer questions about co-parenting, fatherhood, job expectations, relationships, etc., both separately and together with their female partners. Fathers were also videotaped helping their toddlers put a puzzle together. The case studies of the couples are compelling, revealing, and sometimes surprising. The authors provide a review of literature and programs on teen fatherhood and strongly promote offering support for the development of young fathers and their children. Detailed chapter references, extensive footnotes, and an index make this a very useful reference for a wide audience.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.
Reviewer: E. R. Paterson, emeritus, SUNY College at Cortland
Interdisciplinary Subjects: Women’s & Gender Studies , Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Studies
Subject: Social & Behavioral Sciences – Psychology
Choice Issue: Dec 2020

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