U.S. Census Bureau, 1 Out of Every Research Proposal

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U.S. Census Bureau, 1 out of every 3 kids' lives in a home without a father. Fatherless children are a growing epidemic within many of the more developed countries in the world. In many instances, as the evidence suggests, children without a two parent household suffer tremendously relative to their counterparts in many areas of achievement. In addition, children without a farther tend to lag behind from socio-economic standpoints as well as academically. These problems, tend to compound themselves throughout the child's adolescent and adult life. Problems such as a fatherless childhood have implication for not only the immediate family but for society in general. The costs borne by society include cost associated with increased crime, lack of productivity in regards to work, lower socio-economic status, and higher overall stress levels. As indicated below, what was originally a problem of fatherless children, has now become a lesser known epidemic within the developed world. The document below is designed to provide research-based discussions as to the implications of having a childhood without a father. In addition, emphasis will be placed on the societal as well as the immediate family impact of not having a father figure. After the review of pertinent literature, the document explains the logic behind the inclusion of the mentioned research within the overall report. The document then concludes with a discussion into the research methodology that will be used within the research proposal.

It is without question that children with fathers perform better across many measures of social well-being, as compared to their fatherless counterparts. The literature regarding this issue is very compelling, as it points to even more pertinent underlying issues. One study constructed by Howard, Lefever, and Borkowki quantified the impact of a fathers influence on a child. The researchers examined involvement with 134 children of adolescent mothers over the first 10 years of their life. What the researchers found was very compelling. According to their research father-child contact was associated with better socio-emotional and academic functioning. Children with fathers experience lower likelihood of behavioral problems in the future. In many instances, according to the research, children also scored higher on cognitive tests and reading assessment. In particular, the evidence suggests that children with higher math and reading skills tend to be more successful further in life. For example, students with a father, and have high reading scores are 38% more likely to attend college. In addition, these children tend to earn higher than the median household income, with respect to their job prospects. The evidence from this study indicates, that fathers not only impact the immediate growth of children but their growth far into the future. The evidence suggests that a compounding impact occurs as a result of fatherhood involvement. The initial benefit of a having a two parent household, although small in the beginning, compounds itself relatively quickly over the course of the child's life. Higher scores, higher achievement, higher wages, and a more fulfilling life are a natural byproduct of this compounding impact (1).

Recent research also has taken into account the overall parenting style of the father, and its subsequent impact on the child. A study based on the National Longitudinal Study of Youth revealed information regarding parenting style and delinquencies. The results were particularly obvious as the research found that positive father-child relationships help reduces risky behavior. What was more revealing was the finding that authoritative parenting actually increased the risk of delinquent behavior. When combining the first two results, two theories emerge. First, although having a father within a child life is important, the styled used by the parent can be detrimental to child development. Through the finding of this research, it appears that permissive parenting provided children with experiences that allow them indulge in less risky behavior. Particularly with father figures, a presence is needed, however, these presences must not be authoritarian. By allowing children to make mistakes, learn, and grow, their overall cognitive abilities manifest themselves.

A father figure within a child's life has also proven to be beneficial for socio-economic standpoint. Research from the U.S. Census Bureau has indicated that children in father-absent homes are nearly four times more likely to be poor. Poor is defined as living at or below the poverty line. This fact is in stark contrast to the only twelve percent of married-couple families living in poverty (3). Even more alarming is that between the periods of 1970-1996, nearly all the increases in child poverty can be attributed to increases in single-parent families.

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The causes are varied with many citing the high poverty rates due to multiple partner fertility and relationship instability. The inability for families to remain together has strong implications for the children within the relationship from a financial and behavioral standpoint. In many instances, children appear to believe the financial difficulties and separation were a direct result of their own behavior. These children tend to develop risky social and cognitive behaviors. They also tend to be more likely to lag behind their counterparts in reading and math scores. The distractions from multiple partner fertility also make it difficult for both parents to actually raise a child as other third-party individuals enter into the relationship. A new boyfriend, or girlfriend may create more anxiety within the two parent relationship with the child.

The above research is critical as it provides insights into the fundamental problem of entire communities without fathers. A study conducted by Knoester and Hayne, found that children within communities with a low amount of fathers are highly prone to commit violent acts. This research speaks to the growing amounts of communities without the influence of a father. This can be particularly detrimental during the child's adolescent years (5). The statistical data showed that a 1% increase in the proportion of single-parent families in a neighborhood is associated with a 3% increase in an adolescent's level of violence. Higher levels of family integration lower the overall teen violence in young children. Adolescents, particularly males, were also at higher risk of status and property delinquency. The impacts on fatherless children even reach to school. Research by Amy Anderson, indicates that students attending schools with a high proportion of children of single parents are at higher risk of delinquencies (6). Interpol studies have also confirmed the results of the two researches works. By studying the crime statistics of 39 countries, Interpol was able to establish correlations between violent crimes and the ratio of single parent households. According to Interpol, this relationship was no existent two decades ago. It appears, as stated in the introduction, that fatherless children has now become an epidemic that did not exist in the past. In particular, the propensity of children growing up without a male figure within the household, the corresponding implications this behavior has on their overall development.

The logic behind the need for the above research is relatively straight forward. The connection to fatherhood and child development appears to be very clear. As it relates to behavior, socio-economic status, and overall well-being, the father plays a very dynamic and integral role. However, research has also shown that the overall parenting style of the father has a direct correlation to childhood growth. The research will attempt to provide insights not only into the relationship a father has with his children, but also, how that style of parenting correlates to growth. A fatherless child, it appears from the above research, will not be as successful as one who has a father. This appears to be true for males just entering the adolescent stage. The logic behind the research therefore, appears to support this notion.

The research approach will utilize a varied approach to evaluation. Unfortunately there is a relatively large sample of children between the ages of 11 and 13 that are without a father. My research will thus begin with identification of wide ranging and varied sample size of children. Twelve adolescents between the ages of 11 and 13 will be randomly assigned to each of the three adolescent gender-typed name conditions. The gender of the students will be balanced in the conditions. Students will be tested in groups on three consecutive days. The test will consist primarily of interview, survey and observation. Students and parents will be told that the studies purpose is to see how an adolescent's trait can be detected from their physical appearance. Each group will be tested on a separate day. On that day, students will be told of the importance of not telling other potential subjects about the details of the study. They will also told that they will be given the results and the purpose of the study when all the research has been collected. All adolescents will be provided the survey and questionnaire in the same classroom using study carrels, to block their views from one another. They will be asked to not make noise or distract each other in anyway. The materials will be passed out to each.....

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