TORONTO, May 1, 1997 -- York University is co-hosting the country's first conference committed to examining the essential role of fathering in society, featuring expertise from North American leaders in the field.

The First Annual Conference on Fathering will be held Friday, May 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Black Creek Pioneer Village, Garfield Weston Theatre, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, (Jane Street at Steeles Avenue), North York. The conference will examine the consequences that absent or poor fathering has on children, and provide analyses and strategies to improve fathering. (See accompanying agenda.)

"Fathers are so important to a child's development and well-being, and yet we estimate that about two million kids in Canada woke up without a father in their home today," said conference organizer Harold Minden, a professor of psychology at York University and vice-chair of the Psychology Foundation of Canada. Minden, author of the best-selling resource book for parents, Two Hugs for Survival, also works at the Counselling and Development Centre at York University. He is the father of three grown daughters and has seven grandchildren.

"Our conference will look at two fathering problems: the father who is in the home but not really involved with the children, and the absentee father," said Minden. The conference will examine fathering and its effects on three broad areas: (1) a child's emotional, intellectual, and social development; (2) a mother's emotional health and well-being; and (3) a father's emotional health and well-being.

Speakers include authors, counsellors, psychologists, and activists in the fathering movement. The two keynote speakers, David Blankenhorn, author of the book Fatherless America, and Ken Canfield, president of the (U.S.) Center for Fathering, are both high-profile members of the fathering movement in the United States. Other speakers include London, Ont., psychologist Neil Campbell,school principal Sandra Dean of Oshawa, Ont., and publishing executive Beverly Topping of Toronto.

"There are so many studies showing that kids with ineffective or absent fathers don't do nearly as well, and the future is what concerns us," says Minden. "Where is this going? What are the kids in these situations learning when they do not see a normal parenting relationship and they have no role models? The consequences for these kids -- and society -- are disastrous."

Potentially dire consequences of ineffective fathering and fatherlessness on children range from behavioural problems to increased dropout rates to greater likelihood of premature sexual activity and involvement with gangs and crime, according to conference organizers. This behaviour has consequences for society as a whole, they argue.

Deficiencies in fathering affect mothers as well as children, Minden adds. "We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of working mothers over the past 10 to 15 years, but there hasn't been a reciprocal increase in the amount of work and responsibility taken on by fathers within the home. So we find there are a lot of weary mothers out there, which creates animosity between the parents and is not a good partnership. It's even worse for single mothers, who suffer not only from fatigue but also from economic and social deprivation."

Divorce and separation also hurt fathers, Minden says. Studies have shown that fathers separated from their children are more likely to experience such problems as: high blood pressure, ulcers, alcoholism or depression; feelings of hopelessness and loss of emotional control; erratic sleep patterns; feelings of anger, anxiety, and rootlessness; and a sense of loneliness, isolation and guilt.

About 250 people from a diverse range of perspectives will be participating in the conference. They include: childcare workers, academics, teachers, principals, fathering advocates, school parent advisory council members, family doctors, public health nurses, child psychologists, religious leaders, and family counsellors. Interested members of the public can also attend, but only a limited number of spaces remain open.

The Fathering Conference is hosted by York University's Vanier College; The Psychology Foundation of Canada; the York-Vanier Institute for Parent Education, Research and Counselling; the Jackman Foundation; and Ontario Hydro. Organizers hope to host a series of fathering conferences in the future.

For more information, call:

Prof. Harold Minden
Counselling and Development Centre
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 22326 or (416) 736-5297
or (h) (416) 925-6538

Charlotte Redekop-Young
Executive Director
Psychology Foundation of Canada
(416) 595-9966

Mary Ann Horgan
Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 22086
YU/042/97

9 a.m.: Official Opening Ceremony. Welcome by Eric Jackman, president of the Psychology Foundation of Canada. Introductory remarks by Harold Minden, York University professor and conference organizer.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.: David Blankenhorn on "The Dangers of a Fatherless Society and Uninvolved Fathers." Blankenhorn of New York, N.Y. is author of the book Fatherless America, one of the most complete analyses on the fathering situation in the United States. Blankenhorn has played a crucial role in the development of the fathering movement in the U.S.

10:45 - noon: Ken Canfield on "Effecting Father Change: Origins, Issues and Motivations". Canfield, of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, is president of the (U.S.) Center for Fathering, a national organization in the United States. Canfield has developed a fathering magazine and fathering improvement programs and, like Blankenhorn, has been a high-profile proponent of better fathering in the U.S.

Noon - 1 p.m.: Lunch Break

1 - 2 p.m.: Joint presentation by Neil Campbell on "Fatherhood Under Construction - The Dad Class Program," and Sharon Lindenburger on "It's Not Just a Man's Issue, It's a Family and Community Issue." Campbell and Lindenburger of London, Ont. have developed a television series on fathering called "Dads Under Construction" for Vision TV. Campbell is a psychologist and has developed learning programs for fathers in community centres and churches. Lindenburger is involved in health promotion.

2 - 2:45 p.m.: Keith Marlow on "The Role of Separated Fathers." Marlow, a separated father, is a family therapist in Oshawa, Ont. He will speak from experience about fathering for the separated and divorced.

3 - 3:45 p.m.: Sandra Dean on "The Role of the School System: How Can We Involve Fathers in Our School Program?" Dean is principal of South Simcoe Public School in Oshawa, Ont., and has won international acclaim for programs that successfully engage parents, and particularly fathers, in the school lives of their children.

3:45 - 4:30 p.m.: Beverly Topping of Toronto on "The Role of The Media: How Can the Media Put Fathering Back Into the Picture?" Topping is the president and chief executive officer of Today's Parent Group, which publishes the magazines Today's Parent and Great Expectations.