Integrating Father Involvement in Parenting Research

SYNOPSIS This article presents the approach that other investigators and I take in fathering research employing the construct of paternal involvement. First, I review the involvement construct, analyzing its social and methodological background, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it evolved subsequent to its initial formulation. Next considered are approaches and findings concerning the sources and consequences of involvement, with emphasis on my research program. Finally, five potential contributions of paternal involvement research to the broader parenting field concerning the dimensions of parenting, what is optimal parenting, and the sources and consequences of parenting are suggested, as well as implications for intervention and social policy.