I agree with Kate's two cents.  When I read the article, I thought, "There's nothing here to help our learners." The fathers who are in our programs have demonstrated a commitment to their children by enrolling in a family based educational option.  I don't think it would encourage them to be told one more way in which they don't measure up to middle and upper class fathers.  This factoid doesn't build on the strengths of families.

Cyndy Colletti


-----Original Message-----
From: familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov]On Behalf Of kate northcott
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 10:16 AM
To: The Family Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 281] Re: Father's Education, Children, and Time


The article seems to imply that fathers with less
education spent less time with children by choice (or
out of ignorance).  There was no mention that fathers
with lower levels of education often have a job (or
jobs) that offer them little time to spend with their
children.

Certainly there are fathers who did not receive a
model of engaged parenting from their own dads. 
Parenting education can be a wonderful resource for
them and their families.  However, the reality of the
current economic crisis is that many parents with less
than a college education are being squeezed out of the
middle class and into the ranks of the working poor. 
Too many dads and moms now juggle two and three
minimum wage jobs just to meet their families' basic
needs. It is unfair to suggest that these parents are
uncaring or uninformed.

Just my two cents,

Kate


--- "Grimaldi, Andrea" <Andrea.Grimaldi at ed.gov> wrote:


> Of Interest:

> This article, Father's Education, Children, and Time

> was published in

> today's posting of EverydayExchange, which can be

> found on the

> ChildcareExchange.com website 

>

http://www.childcareexchange.com/eed/issue.php?id=1482

> 

> Andrea Grimaldi

> Senior Program Officer, Early Childhood Literacy

> National Institute for Literacy

> 1775 I Street NW, Suite 730

> Washington, DC 20006-2401

> Phone:  (202) 233-2036

> Fax:      (202) 233-2050

> Email:    agrimaldi at nifl.gov

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

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> Family Literacy mailing list

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