Maligned as "deadbeat dads" or sexually and financially irresponsible inner-city fathers and overlooked in discussions of poverty and family policy, economically vulnerable nonresident fathers are a greatly misunderstood population.
Failing Our Fathers summarizes the most recent quantitative and qualitative research, and undertakes new analyses to fill in important gaps, to produce a comprehensive picture of who these fathers are, what types of relationships they have with their families and children, and the challenges they face meeting what their loved ones and taxpayers expect from them. The great majority of these men see their children on a regular basis, despite the financial, legal, and extra-legal barriers they face. Besides requiring fathers to support their children, we must enable them to do so by supplementing their earnings and supporting their co-parenting, in ways that parallel how we require and enable vulnerable single mothers to support their children. The book lays out specific reforms required to achieve this goal as well as tips for those resources for economically vulnerable nonresident fathers.

Ronald B. Mincy, PhD, is the Maurice V. Russell Professor of Social Policy and Social Work Practice at the Columbia University School of Social Work and Director of the Center for Research on Fathers, Children and Family Well-Being (CRFCFW). He is also a co-principal investigator of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Monique Jethwani-Keyser, PhD is a Lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW), where she is teaching Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Adolescent Development, and Clinical Practice Evaluation.Serena Klempin, MSW, is a Research Associate at the Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University. She was most recently a Research Associate at the Columbia University School of Social Work's Center for Research on Fathers, Children and Family Well-Being.

PART I: INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Who are these Fathers?
PART II: NONRESIDENT FATHER PRESENCE
Chapter 3. Nonresident Fathers in Active Parenting Roles
Chapter 4. Understanding Challenges to Active Parenting Roles
Chapter 5. Nonresident Fathers as Breadwinners
Chapter 6. Understanding Challenges to the Breadwinner Role: Limited Education
Chapter 7. Understanding Challenges to the Breadwinner Role: Limited Employment and Finances
PART III: CONCLUSION
Chapter 8. How Programs and Policies Can Help Nonresident Fathers Reach Their Goals
Chapter 9. Tips for Nonresident Fathers