"Changing for my kid": fatherhood experiences of Mexican-origin teen fathers involved in the justice system.
A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted with six adolescent fathers of Mexican origin on juvenile probation for a variety of serious offenses. All participants successfully completed a parenting program designed especially for teen fathers. In a series of consecutive in-depth interviews, teen fathers were asked to discuss their experiences as fathers. Four phenomena were identified from the data: (a) not giving up and deciding to be a dad, (b) figuring out my relationships after becoming a father, (c) wanting to be a good father, and (d) wanting to be Brown and a father. Findings challenge negative stereotypes associated with Mexican-origin teen fathers engaged in delinquent behaviors and describe the ways in which fatherhood became an important positive motivator in the lives of participants.
Parra-Cardona
José Rubén
JR
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA. parraca1@msu.edu
Sharp
Elizabeth A
EA
Wampler
Richard S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States