Don't forget about teen fathers: what programs are available?

Abstract

Are there programs available to assist teen fathers? Many programs focus their attention on teen mothers and teen fathers often go without assistance. Without assistance teen fathers struggle in the following areas: relationship with mother, child, parents, education, employment, and financial support, restricted freedom, and physical and emotional demands. Through a literature and program review, statistical on teen fathers are presented, along with the areas of need that teen fathers face. Included is an overview of four selected programs and a school based curriculum from across the country. They include MELD (Minnesota Early Learning Design), STEP-UP, Hand to Hand-Father to Father, the Parenting Teen Initiative, and "Maximizing a Life Experience" (MALE).