Access Type

Open Access Thesis

Date of Award

January 2012

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.W.

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Shawna J. Lee

Abstract

ABSTRACT

FATHERS' OPINIONS CONCERNING PARENTING RESOURCES AND PRACTICES: AN EXPLORATION OF CULTURAL COMPONENTS AND TECHNOLOGY ON PARENTING

by

VALENTINA DJELAJ

May 2012

Advisor: Dr. Shawna J. Lee

Major: Social Work

Degree: Master of Social Work

Fathers' involvement in child rearing is extremely beneficial to children. However, there are currently many barriers that exist, which do not allocate fathers to receive specific parental resources. For decades, fathers admit needing services and resources but are often denied for various reasons.

This study explored fathers' opinions about the parenting information and parenting resources they receive or would like to receive, cultural and spiritual components of child rearing within their communities, and whether technology can be utilized to lessen the gap and barriers that exist in paternal child rearing.

In this study, six semi-structured father-centered focus groups (N=32) were conducted and ran for approximately 1-1½ hours. These discussions were then transcribed, content coded, and analyzed. Themes surrounding culture and spirituality as well as utilizing technology for paternal child rearing were prevalent throughout these focus groups, as well as additional and unintentional themes. Implications for future research were also discussed.

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Social Work Commons

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