Race Differences in Nonresident Father Involvement: New Findings from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth

Susan D. Stewart, University of Richmond

Although the vast majority of African American children will live apart from their biological father, we currently have very limited information on nonresident father involvement among African Americans. This study investigates race differences in patterns of paternal involvement, focusing specifically on African American nonresident fathers. The analysis is based on nonresident fathers from the 1998 and 2000 rounds of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79). These data provide important new information on African American and White nonresident fathers' perceptions of the father role as well as the quantity and quality of contact with absent children. Additionally, we exploit the longitudinal nature of this data set and examine race differences in paternal involvement over time. Continued lack of attention to African American nonresident fathers is problematic given that nonresident fatherhood is such a prominent feature of African American family life.