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“Changing for My Kid”: Fatherhood Experiences of Mexican‐Origin Teen Fathers Involved in the Justice System
Author(s) -
ParraCardona José Rubén,
Sharp Elizabeth A.,
Wampler Richard S.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2008.00078.x
Subject(s) - psychology , economic justice , variety (cybernetics) , developmental psychology , social psychology , neoclassical economics , artificial intelligence , computer science , economics
A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted with six adolescent fathers of Mexican origin on juvenile probation for a variety of serious offenses. All participants successfully completed a parenting program designed especially for teen fathers. In a series of consecutive in‐depth interviews, teen fathers were asked to discuss their experiences as fathers. Four phenomena were identified from the data: (a) not giving up and deciding to be a dad, (b) figuring out my relationships after becoming a father, (c) wanting to be a good father, and (d) wanting to be Brown and a father. Findings challenge negative stereotypes associated with Mexican‐origin teen fathers engaged in delinquent behaviors and describe the ways in which fatherhood became an important positive motivator in the lives of participants.