Understanding Fathers’ Experiences of Stigma and Discrimination to Better Support Delivery of Healthy Relationship Education in Fatherhood Programs

The purpose of this brief is to summarize stigma and discrimination experienced by fathers in fatherhood programs related to their culture and racial identities, their role as fathers in society, and their history of incarceration. These forms of stigma and discrimination can affect fathers’ lives and relationships. This brief also provides practice-based resources to help programs support fathers in navigating challenges related to these forms of stigma and discrimination.

Activities conducted under the CHaRMED project uncovered information on fathers’ experiences of stigma and discrimination around the following issues:

• Fathers’ culture and racial identities: Fathers and staff in the CHaRMED study and experts in AIAN fatherhood programs described the harm caused to fathers of color as a result of stigma and racial discrimination. Experts also described how policies and practices throughout U.S. history have led to cultural shame and loss of cultural identity in AIAN communities.
• The role of fathers in society: Some fathers and staff perceived a broad societal preference for mothers over fathers, which can play out in systems such as family courts or Child Protective Services. In addition, a few fathers and staff described how fathers can face stigma when they don’t conform to cultural or societal expectations around what it means to be a father or a “real man.”
• History of incarceration: Several fathers who participated in the CHaRMED study had a history of incarceration, and some of the participating fatherhood programs specifically served fathers involved with the justice system. In these cases, fathers and staff spoke about the role stigma and discrimination has played in their ability to secure stable housing, spend time with their children, and obtain employment opportunities after release.

This brief is based on findings from activities conducted under the Coparenting and Healthy Relationship and Marriage Education for Dads (CHaRMED) project. These include:

• A qualitative analysis of select questions from interviews with 24 program staff and 36 fathers at nine fatherhood programs across the United States. While understanding experiences of stigma and discrimination was not an explicit goal of the study, some questions explored whether and how external factors affect fathers’ relationships.
• Conversations with three experts in implementing and adapting fatherhood programs for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations.
• A scan of literature and practice-based resources to supplement information drawn from the interviews and research brief.

Stigma and discrimination are critical for fatherhood programs to recognize and address, as they can impact a program’s ability to provide responsive services and can create barriers for fathers’ healthy relationships. The brief provides links to practice-based resources to guide programs in better understanding and addressing these experiences.

Wilson, April, Andrea Vazzano, Isabel Griffith, Elizabeth Karberg, Deana Around Him, and Mindy E. Scot (2022). Understanding fathers’ experiences of stigma and discrimination to better support delivery of healthy relationship education in fatherhood programs. OPRE Report #2022-**, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.