Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness – 2012
This research brief examines the characteristics of fathers of poor and homeless young children ages 0-5. Presents general demographic data and discusses specific issues, such as fathers’ work and income, financial contributions through formal and informal child support, fathers’ accessibility and engagement with their children, and history of incarceration and substance abuse. Reports that fathers of homeless children are six times more likely to have been incarcerated and ten times more likely to have abused drugs, as compared to fathers of children who have housing stability. Notes the importance of father involvement in improving the well-being of at-risk children.
