Involved Fathering and Men's Adult Development: Provisional Balances »

Involved Fathering and Men's Adult Development is an interdisciplinary book that synthesizes theoretical, empirical, and anecdotal writings from different fields and provides an analysis of extensive interviews with 40 fathers. Along with the exploration of the distinct contribution that fathers make to their children's development, the author pursues the parallel theme of the effect this involvement has on the fathers' own development in adulthood.

This book will provide its readers with a realistic and useful beginning point to bring a synthesis of developmental theories, family studies perspectives, and men's insights about fathering that will enhance our academic understanding of fathering and adult development. This book can also spark reflective and practical application for fathers and families, whether readers are academicians, practitioners, policymakers, or fathers in the trenches.

Booknews

With qualitative data based on interviews with fathers aged 20 to 45, Palkovitz (individual and family studies, U. of Delaware) investigates the effect of parenting on lifespan development from a developmental psychology perspective. After describing his theoretical model and the study design, he examines the results in such areas as emotional development, religious feeling, health, effects on intimate relationships and relationships with relatives, community involvement, and the work domain. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)