Whether the significant adult is a parent, a relative, a teacher, a coach or a mentor, the bottom line is that this person cares and is there. These positive relationships provide the basis for adolescents to make healthy choices and for new fathers to connect with their own children. Hope for the future. Without a sense of future, youth take increasing risks. Hope for the future is built when young men see that working hard pays off and good behaviors bring positive outcomes.
Expectations become self-fulfilling.
Anyone who works with families needs to embrace the growing evidence that boys and young men will act responsibly, that fathers do indeed care, and that men want to be involved with their families. And they need to show these expectations within an atmosphere of caring and respect. Education and employment. Young men need access to quality education that prepares them for future work. They also need training and employment opportunities that will enable them to support a family.