Format: Curriculum

Target Audience: Fathers 

Description: This curriculum goes beyond the stereotypes of "deadbeat dads" and house-husbands to provide a glimpse at the lives of a racially and economically diverse group of fathers who are trying to be good fathers.  Some face a legacy of father absence (either physical or emotional), poverty, or a workplace that isn't always father-friendly.  Each video module contains a series of brief vignettes that capture key issues.  The three videos in the set are "Dedicated Not Deadbeat," "Juggling Family and Work," and "The Fatherhood Workshop."

• Probably more appropriate for teen audience who are not yet parents.  Seems to focus on difficulties of having a child too early.  Also, may be valuable for groups/agencies with fatherhood initiatives or mentoring.  
• More mature, established fathers may not relate [to this material.].
• Acknowledges there are stereotypes and tries to go beyond them.
• Video is limited to "fragile families" - unmarried, low income, young parents.
• The use of real people makes the video more effective than if actors had been used.
• I would recommend this video.
• The item should be distributed as widely as possible to teenage parents.
• The support group sessions shown in the video do reflect current theory and practice.  The counselors seem to be up on the current practices in the field.
• The video does promote respect for never-married fathers.  The counselors are honest with the young people.  They don't talk down to them, but they are honest with them.  They hold them responsible, which is definitely one way respect is communicated.
• The video does reflect diversity.  The families and counselors reflect all races.  It is an urban setting, however.  There may be a need to have a video that reflects a rural setting.  The issues may be different.
• The material is very appropriate for never-married fathers.  It takes a documentary approach and deals with real life, urban situations.
• The first segment was outstanding - a very compelling portrayal of African-American fathers living in the inner city, including a father who was incarcerated and released during the filming.  Appropriate for fathers and for professionals who work with fathers.
• Shows fathers going to a discussion group.  I wish everyone could see it.
• The second segment focuses on a father who was physically abusive to the mother and in a therapy/mentoring group.  It bothered me a little.  Shows inappropriate interaction with the kids and their mother.  He threw his kids into the air and across the room onto a bed.  All in fun, but quite dangerous.  The father shows favoritism to the boys.  One boy picks on the daughter.  The father says, "Give me five!  You won!"  And then said, "He's just learning how to fight."  Of course, the implicit point is to show that this is inappropriate, but someone might assume the family interaction is normal or okay.  

Reviewers' Comments for "Juggling Family and Work":

• Really well-made, enjoyable, engaging video.
• Looks at three dads in very different circumstances and how they struggled to maintain home and work responsibilities.
• Vignettes portray fathers trying to balance work and family.
• While the three dads in this video are all married, nonetheless useful to single dads.
• Current.
• Research-based.
• Respectful.  Validates fathers' feelings.
• Touching scene of dad reminiscing with his elderly father about the older father being absent so much during his son's childhood due to his job.
• Shows fathers in several support groups - refreshing to see men in this situation!
• Portrays people of different ethnicities, fathers of different economic status - from New York high-power executive to line worker at Folger's Coffee, different ages.
• Both parents are shown as wage-earners.
• Interesting for never-married fathers, groups of dads, maybe even with students pre-fatherhood.
• Real people tell their stories.  Very entertaining.  
• Some voice-over narrative, but not much.
• Great illustrations.
• Very positive, empowering portrayal of fathers.  Highly recommended.
• All are well done and recommended for fathers, mothers, and professionals.

ISBN: None found.

Copyright Date: 1998

Publisher Information:
The Fatherhood Project at Families and Work Institute

Cost: $250.00