Walking a High Beam: The Balance Between Employment Stability, Workplace Flexibility, and Nonresident Father Involvement

Authors

Jason T. Castillo, University of UtahFollow
Greg W. Welch, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, University of NebraskaFollow
Christian M. Sarver, University of Utah

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

American Journal of Men’s Health 6(2) 120– 131, 2012

Comments

AJMH is an open-access journal

Abstract

Compared with resident fathers, nonresident fathers are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed and less likely, when they are employed, to have access to flexible work arrangements. Although lack of employment stability is associated with lower levels of father involvement, some research shows that increased stability at work without increased flexibility is negatively related to involvement. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 895), the authors examined the relationship between nonresident fathers’ employment stability, workplace flexibility, and father involvement. Results indicate that workplace flexibility, but not employment stability, is associated with higher levels of involvement. Policy and practice implications are discussed.