Failing Our Fathers

Slandered as irresponsible, deadbeat dads, nonresident fathers are a greatly misunderstood population. These fathers are overlooked in discussions of poverty and economic vulnerability - often being viewed as the cause of social problems, rather than as having been abandoned by society. In Failing our Fathers, Ron Mincy presents a more comprehensive picture of how these men face significant obstacles and explore the effectiveness of the few policies that have been designed to offer relief. As it turns out, nearly six million men are unable to provide financial support for their children who live elsewhere - a population far larger than inner city, unmarried, Black and Latino men who have been the focus in the debate on disadvantaged fathers. Many of these fathers are significantly involved in the lives of their children, but their child-support obligations and long-term debts yeild significant provider role strain. Using new research, Failing our Fathers recommends further policies and interventions that can enable noncustodial fathers to support their children, and offers advice directly to these fathers who want to be more involved in the lives of their children. -- from dust jacket.