“I was a boy who brought a boy into the world”
Following Young Fathers Further is only possible because of the involvement of young fathers as participants and even as researchers (see our Diverse Dads project).
Through the study, young fathers are helping us to develop new evidence about a wide range of issues that are relevant to them. This includes:
- what it is like to become and be a parent at a young age,
- what it is like to share parenting with others (i.e. partners and family members),
- what challenges young dads might face and how they overcome them,
- Their experiences of engaging with professionals from ante-natal and maternity, education, housing, specialist voluntary and third sector services (like youth and family support), the family courts, social services and criminal justice,
- Experiences of education, employment and training,
- Other topics we have explored more recently include the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health.
The Following Young Fathers Further team share these findings with professionals and policy makers with the aim of promoting a more positive parenting experience for all. You can read our accessible blogs and watch recordings of our webinars and presentations by following the links below.
If you are a young father and/or a professional that works with young fathers, we’d like to hear from you about what matters to you. Please contact the team with your ideas.
Support for young fathers
Our research tells us that sometimes young fathers and their partners need some support, be that with their parenting, relationships, seeking employment, mental health and more! We have also found that compassionate and authentic support is most effective for young fathers, which when delivered early in the parenting journey, is appreciated most.
The Following Young Fathers Further team works with professionals across the UK with a passionate commitment to supporting young fathers and promoting best practice. Learn more about out study partners and where you might get support by following the links below.
…all the benefits that come with dads being more involved in their children’s lives equate to benefits for families more broadly. I think any sort of project that promotes like a level of equality for particular groups is beneficial to everyone, not just the group that it’s supporting
(Coram Family and Childcare, Young Dads Collective Manager)
