Social Connections of Adolescents in Single Father Families

Susan Jekielek, Child Trends
Brett Brown, Child Trends
Berkeley Smith, Child Trends

This paper examines the social connectedness of adolescents living in single father families. We view positive attachments to school, peers, and community as assets for healthy development, especially for children in single-parent families who may lack a source of social capital - their other biological parent. We take into account the mode of entry into a single father family, the presence of other female adults in the household, non resident parent involvement, parental human capital and neighborhood characteristics. To a limited extent, we also examine how parental social involvement shapes adolescent social-connectedness. Outcomes include school involvement and attachment, religious involvement, neighborhood attachment, and friendship ties.