Reflections on the Development of Fatherhood Work

Abstract

This article is a commentary on the preceding articles by 1) Randall Day; 2) Kristin Moore, Jacinta Bronte-Tinkew, and Lillian Bowie; and 3) Jay Fagan. The author stresses some of the key points made in those articles, considers key lessons learned from fatherhood programs over the last 30 years, and offers definitions of what represents a 'good fatherhood program' and a 'good father.' The commentary concludes with a look forward to a paradigm change whereby 'family support services' and public policies evolve to recognize, encompass and meet the needs of all family members, including fathers, irrespective of living and marital situations.