Our Division of Extension colleagues have been working collectively to produce two excellent podcasts designed to lift the voices of justice-involved fathers and share the thoughts, work, and research from experts in various fields addressing the plight of Black Fathers across the country. Research has revealed that “when dads are involved from birth, their children reach health and social milestones earlier and have more long-term success.”
The first podcast, “Anywhere Dads,” focuses on parenting for incarcerated fathers and their families and features the voices of fathers who are incarcerated. The number of fathers in U.S. jails and prisons has increased substantially since the late 80s. Ninety percent of the parents in federal and state prisons are fathers. “Prisoners who participate in employment, education, or substance abuse programs are more likely to obtain employment and less likely to return to prison.” Additionally, while only 11% of the parent prison population receives classes geared towards family strengthening, studies suggest that incarcerated parents’ involvement in these programs improves their attitudes about the importance of fatherhood.
Additionally, their participation in family strengthening programming has increased their parenting skills and led to more frequent contact between fathers and their children.
The Anywhere Dads podcast is a product of the University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension’s Huma Development and Relationships Institute and was created by Anne Clarkson, Roxy Etta, Mary Huser, Margaret Kerr, Elizabeth Lexau, Kevin Murphy, and Ciara Walker Morgan.
Podcast LINK: Anywhere Dads – Parenting and Family Relationships
The second podcast, “Black Fatherhood,” is a series of conversations that explores specific issues related to Black Fatherhood and mental health. These conversations are hosted by Dr. Alvin Thomas, Assistant Professor in the School of Human Ecology. Dr. Thomas believes that black fathers have faced unique challenges, including their virtual erasure, mischaracterization, and invisibility in American conversation and policy, except in discussions of dysfunction and psychopathology. Recent data reveals that “African American/Black fathers spend more time in their children’s day-to-day lives than dads from other racial groups, defying stereotypes about black fatherhood.”
This series of discussions with other scholars and leaders from various fields highlights and supports the critical roles fathers play in the lives of Black families and their children. The Black Fatherhood podcast is a product developed by Dr. Alvin Thomas and a graduate assistant funded and supported by Extension, SoHE, and the SoHE’s Equity and Justice Network expanded PA initiative.
Podcast LINK: Black Fatherhood Podcast with Dr. ALvin Thomas
