Australian Camp Connect Association Inc.

In the year 2000, there were some 50,000 divorces in Australia with over 1/3rd [42%] of first marriages ending in divorceⁱ. Of these divorces, 23, 600 involved childrenⁱⁱ. Sole-parent families now comprise around 21% of all family householdsⁱⁱⁱ. Non-custodial [residential]^iv fathers are a much larger group in society than custodial fathers^v. Currently fathers constitute 92.6% of all non-residential parents^vi. With time, after separation father involvement drops off and that a relatively large percentage of non-custodial parents have little or no contact with their children^vii.

The data presented at the HILDA^viii Conference, during March 2003, in Melbourne, supports this data. The findings presented show that 36% of children whose parents do not live with together have no contact with their fathers. A further 17% have daytime contact only^ix.

These statistics showing the level of father contact with their children post-separation are alarming when you look at the significant impact that fathers make on child development outcomes. As cited by Smyth & Parkinson [2003], research shows that where fathers not only have contact but also actively engage in parenting post-separation there are significant positive benefits for children^x. These benefits are seen in the areas of the children’s “self esteem, emotional well-being, capacity to love and be loved, and ability to participate in society”^xi.

In an attempt to understand under what conditions fathers give up paternal involvement after separation and divorce, Minton and Pasley [1996] carried out research which showed that divorced fathers reported “role investment’ to the same level as non-divorced fathers but competence and satisfaction as being less. The divorced fathers, who felt more competent and satisfied as a father, were more involved in child related activities^xii.

According to Campbell & Pike [1998], some researchers have hypothesised that the extent that a non-residential father stays in contact with is child[ren] is related to his newly defined father role that accompanies the “loss of daily interaction with his child”.

Campbell & Pike [1998] believe that it is the loss of the father role within the marriage or relationship that is often the most “traumatic concern for many non-custodial fathers and that “the reorganizing of a new role with their children is a task which is often the longest and hardest struggle”. Stone [2001], as cited by Crawford & Macdonald, [2002] points out another benefit related to separated fathers being clear of what their new role of parenting is about, that being it is recognised as positively contributing factor to the fathers’ well-being.

When looking at the issues of father involvement with their children post separation, the majority of the studies have focused upon the frequency of visitation . Amato & Gilbreth [1999] make the point “obviously there is more to parent-child contact than just time. They suggest that “..how often fathers see children is less important than what fathers do when they are with their children.”

Research, according to Amato & Gilbreth [1999] indicates that “... many non-resident fathers have primarily recreational relationships” with their children. This is attributed to the time factor associated with limited contact and that they often see their relationships with their children being “tenuous” so their prime objective is that their children enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, even though these activities may be enjoyable, if aspects of the role of being a father, such as authoritive parenting are not practiced then the activities will “contribute little to children’s’ development.”

Authoritive fathering practices include such things as helping with homework, talking about problems, setting appropriate boundaries / limits and providing discipline.

Authoritive parenting practices such as being involved with your child’s’ schoolwork, according to Nord et al., [1997], as cited by Kelley [2000], has a positive effect on the child’s post separation academic performance, resulting in the tendency to have a higher academic achievement [Amato & Gilbreth [1999]].

Amato & Gilbreth [1999], stress the importance of authoritive parenting by saying that “… both the strength of the emotional tie between children and fathers and the extent to which fathers engage in authoritive parenting are related to the children’s well-being. Authoritive parenting is also one of the most consistent predictors of a child outcomes.

Lamb [1987] as cited by Amato & Gilbreth [1999], states that effective, competent fathers are those who display a strongly commitment to the role of parenting and have the appropriate parenting skills. It is these non-residential fathers who have these traits that are “…able to maintain close and authoritive relationships with children”. It is these fathers that will help produce positive child outcomes for their children post separation and divorce.

Many published articles and texts report the lack of programs that are available for men despite the documented need for such programs. This pertains to all fathers, whether they are within the original family unit or if they have been through family breakdown.

In the Department of Family and Community services own publication titled, Fitting Fathers into Families [1999], it is pointed out that “Minimal and unstable levels of funding are available for services or programs that include fathers”.

Campbell & Pike [1998] illustrate how men who have gone through family breakdown often have only limited or in fact no sympathetic support network at all. The friends and family that they do have will often have very unrealistic expectations as to the time frame that their friend or family member should have ‘got over it’ and moved on. They also highlight the importance of “… providing an environment which facilitates the father being heard (often for the first time in his life) and clearly understood.

Where does Australian Camp Connect (ACCA) fit in?

The programs set up and run through Australian Camp Connect Association (ACCA) will tackle the key areas that research tells us has an impact on child outcomes. The role of being a father post separation will be covered so as to give the participant fathers ideas about what their role entails.

Appropriate parenting skills such as authoritive parenting will be covered in detail. We will look at what it is, why it is important and do some role-play so that the participant fathers get to practice it in a safe and supportive environment.

It is envisaged that the fathers will leave the program feeling more competent and confident in their role of being the father of their children, which will ultimately lead to a greater satisfaction in their being a parent and a higher level active parental involvement with his children.

Australian Camp Connect Association (ACCA) Programs will be both informative as well as supportive for all participants. There will be opportunities for the fathers to talk to experts in the various fields such as Parenting, Family Law, Child Support, Counselling and Mediation.

Networking between fathers will be also encouraged so that they can start building up their own support networks.