In its meeting in Washington today and tomorrow, the fourth National Summit on Fatherhood, sponsored by the National Fatherhood Initiative, will hear dour news like this as it focuses in part on programs that deal with minority fathers. But the news isn't all gloom and doom. Another positive indication is that the number of babies born to unmarried African-American teenagers has declined, and, for those that are born, paternity is being established more often. The most hopeful sign of all, to Lerman, is epitomized by meetings like today's summit. Local chapters of Mr. Garrow's organization, for instance, send volunteer African-American men into schools and community organizations to work with young black men, earn their confidence over the long haul, discuss issues on their minds, and bring a measured dose of exposure to the real world.
Different programs try to attract young fathers in different ways.
In some parts of Pennsylvania, a National Fatherhood Initiative program takes advantage of black fathers' initial interest in their newborns by training these dads to monitor health issues. The approach is a vehicle to get fathers involved more broadly with their babies, says Mr. Warren, since their interest soon expands to other parenting concerns. The Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved.