title: The need for and effectiveness of surrogate role models among single-parent children.
abstract: Divorce typically causes children to lose time with their fathers. Big Brother-Big Sister agencies have been established to provide same-sex adult companions for children in single-parent homes and are thought to be an effective primary prevention agency by providing natural caregiving. A needs assessment made in one city indicated that a majority of single-parent children desired an adult (nonparent) companion, regardless of child's age or amount of social activity. A program evaluation of a Big Brother-Big Sister agency, completed several years after the needs assessment, revealed that parentsand agency volunteers perceived positive changes in the children as a result of program involvement.
authors.affiliation: , .
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Edmondson
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Holman
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Morrell