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Chapter 11 - Reaching and Serving Underrepresented Families

The Necessity of Engaging Fathers in Extension Programming

from Part III - Looking Ahead: Emerging Issues and Trends

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2024

By
Kerrie Fanning ,
Jiwon Yoon  and
Margaret L. Kerr
Edited by
Maria Rosario T. de Guzman  and
Holly Hatton
Maria Rosario T. de Guzman
Affiliation:
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Holly Hatton
Affiliation:
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
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Summary

Extension is uniquely positioned to reach and support underserved and underrepresented families. Although Extension excels at providing evidence-based programming for mothers, children, and youth, it has generally been less successful in engaging fathers. Recent evidence finds increased balanced sharing of caregiving responsibilities and fathers’ desire to engage with their children. Engaging fathers and incorporating father-centric programming is more important than ever. This chapter will highlight promising strategies for engaging fathers in Extension, including an example of a statewide needs assessment, technology-based programming, and community-based partnerships. We describe available evidence-based programs and approaches, both currently utilized with fathers and aptly positioned to accommodate fathers, along with promising opportunities and important considerations for Extension moving forward. Shifting the focus to better serve fathers in family-based programming will better engage and support underserved and vulnerable families, and Extension is a system that is critically important for meeting this challenge.

Keywords

Extensionunderserved populationsengagementfathersfather engagementfamilieschildren
Type
Chapter
Information
Extension Education and the Social Sciences
Uplifting Children, Youth, Families, and Communities
 , pp. 224 - 245
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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