Improving attitudes, services, and policies regarding adolescent fathers: An affirming rejoinder

Abstract

This rejoinder provides affirming reactions to the commentaries by Devault (2014, pp. 275-277), Oren and Oren (2014, pp. 278-280), and Bellamy and Banman (2014, pp. 281-283) regarding our article, "The Complicated Worlds of Adolescent Fathers: Implications for Clinical Practice, Public Policy, and Research" (Kiselica&Kiselica, 2014, pp. 260-274). We summarize the major themes expressed in these commentaries, and echo and expand the commentators' calls for treating young fathers with respect, recognizing the important potential role of adolescent fathers in their child's development, disseminating information about effective helping strategies to practitioners, and developing father-friendly services that foster coparenting relationships between adolescent fathers and their partners. © 2014 American Psychological Association.