PUB TYPE Reports Research/Technical (143)-- Speeches /Conference Papers (150)

This study, which centers on attitudes toward being a father, reports results of open-ended interviews with black fathers of infants. Findings challenge prevailing assumptions that characterize black fathers as uninvolved with their offspring and unwilling to make material contributions to support them. The 32 men interviewed were employed fathers in 2-parent families that were involved in a study of black infants ' social development. Fathers were questioned about their motives and satisfactions in holding a paternal role, frustrations as fathers, and supports and barriers to enacting their roles. Descriptive analyses revealed that being a father was a core motive and organizing principle for participants' life-styles. Being a model to their infants and a guiding force in their children's lives were primary objectives for fathers. Family life experiences and family relationships were primary satisfactions associated with being a father. Fathers ' jobs and incomes were second only to their relationships with their wives as critical supports in fathers ' efforts to meet their standards of fathering. Findings are discussed as strong evidence of contemporary black fathers' commitment to their children's emotional and physical welfare and their eager participation in family life experiences. (RH) ***************************w******************************************* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *****************************w****************************************