Skills for the Job: Supporting young fathers

Why are services for young dads important?
There are around 300,000 fathers in the UK under the age of 25. Young fathers have a significant impact on the outcomes of teenage mothers and their children, but are often ignored by local authorities and health services. The implications of this are serious. If a young father becomes disengaged from his partner’s pregnancy and birth, the amount of support available to the mother is reduced, along with the chances that the couple will stay together.

Both expert and real-world experience shows that children need their fathers. The development of a positive relationship between a child and their father brings numerous benefits to both, as well as to the mother and other key carers in the child’s life.

What issues do young fathers face?
The role of young dads is often invisible. It is too often an aspect of their life that is rarely considered by the services they come into contact with. Many young dads are therefore reluctant to seek help and have little knowledge of where to find it.
 
They worry about being judged and can feel very intimidated by children’s services and health settings, because these are aimed mainly at mothers. Young fathers can also feel overwhelmed by negative stereotypes about them – that they are not interested in their children; do not want to support them financially; are irresponsible; uncaring; and that young mothers are better off without them.

These problems can be compounded by social isolation, which may result from becoming a young dad and the subsequent changes in relationships with their childless peers.

In addition, when their partner becomes pregnant, young men feel unsure of their position because their sexual partners transform into mothers and the pressure to become a provider becomes acute. A high proportion of relationship breakdown and domestic violence can occur during this period. Both young dads and young mums benefit from increased social support at this time. A cost-effective way in which this can be provided is through perinatal support projects based on volunteer befriending. The young dads that Family Action works with have said they really benefit from participating in activities with others in a similar situation to themselves.

What is the best way to help young fathers?
Multi-agency partnerships maximise the ability to target and reach young fathers. Home-based family support work within children’s centres can help skilled case-workers identify young dads who need more support and encourage them to have the confidence and motivation to access relevant support services. They can assist with issues such as conflict between parents when faced with relationship breakdown or difficulties with sharing care, parenting styles or maintenance. One of the main needs of young dads is access to employment and training, so improving links with services operating in this field is vital.

What other forms of support can help?
Reflecting positive images of fatherhood is an important way of addressing stigma. Marketing targeted services designed specifically for young dads is essential.
You should also think about working hours or parental access rights when designing services that enable men to attend – weekend services generally better fit the needs of young fathers.

It is also vital to build a supportive atmosphere and relationship with young dads so they feel they can come and talk to professionals and ask questions without being judged. Employing young men can help. Service providers should offer training opportunities for young men to enter caring, health and early years education services. This can help create positive role models of men as effective nurturers and fathers.

Top Tips