Fathers' Involvement in Sure Start: What Do Fathers and Mothers Perceive as the Benefits?

Abstract

This paper is based on a case study of a Sure Start programme in the North East of England which was effective in engaging fathers. It details the positive views of 17 fathers and eight mothers on the benefits of father involvement. Perceived benefits included fathers' increased engagement with their young children and concern for their psychosocial development, improved relationships with children, increased social interaction with other fathers and consequently access to greater peer support, learning from the experiences of other fathers, increased knowledge and skills through education, changing understanding of the fathering role and access to a better quality of life for the whole family. Findings are discussed in relation to implications for working with fathers from poor socio-economic backgrounds.

Keywords:

• Sure Start
• father involvement
• early years services
• fathers and young children