The Influence of Religion on Fathers' Relationships With Their Children

Author: King V.

Source: Journal of Marriage and Family, Volume 65, Number 2, May 2003 , pp. 382-395(14)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

This study explores how aspects of a father's religiousness are related to the type and quality of involvement with his children. Factors that potentially confound or explain the connection between religiousness and fathering are also examined. Multiple measures of religiousness and father–child ties are considered in a series of bivariate and multivariate regression models. The sample of 810 fathers comes from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Results indicate that religious fathers are more involved fathers and that they report higher quality relationships; this is true for both married and divorced fathers. The greater involvement of religious fathers is explained only in part by demographic factors and the mediating influences of traditional attitudes and marital quality.

Keywords: children; divorce; fathers; marriage; religion

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2003.00382.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Sociology, 211 Oswald Tower, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 ( ), Email: vking@pop.psu.edu

Publication date: 2003-05-01