Can Urban Extension Help the Apple of Dad's Eye?

By Marilyn Johnson, Extension Family Welfare Specialist
 

Introduction

While much has been written about the use of intergenerational horticulture and green space activities and programs to encourage the family as a whole to enjoy nature, this article presents information on the value of father involvement in the lives of their daughters.

Studies show that "achievement levels, sense of mastery, and marital happiness of girls correlate with the presence of an involved father," (Ogbuja, 2008). Father involvement was a key factor in adolescent development by Vanderbilt University researchers. Furthermore, non-custodial fathers should make a special attempt to spend quality time in all-daughter families, since research findings concluded that these households generally experience low father involvement in comparison to homes where a brother is present.

Father involvement with their daughters can be enhanced when they are provided assistance in planning low-cost, accessible, educational, and fun activities geared to the great outdoors. Extension's Saving Towns Through Asset Revitalization (STAR) has a number of suggestions that are supportive of fathers bonding with their children, with a special emphasis on father-daughter relationships. The information cited below seeks to help keep daddy's little girl "the apple of his eye."

STAR's Community Outdoor E-Toolkit Initiative: Alabama Fathers' Involvement with Their Daughters
Here are some quality, fun, low-cost, and accessible suggestions and ideas to assist fathers in planning visitation time with their children, particularly daughters:

After watching these positive examples of a supportive father involved in the life of his daughter, call 1-877-4DAD411 for information. Also visit www.fatherhood.gov for more information and ideas.

Here are other ideas that fathers can engage in with their families, including resources that are available from Extension's Urban Affairs staff across the state.

Nature-Based Initiatives
Contact: Dr. Robin Moore, North Carolina State University at 919-515-8344

Urban Affairs & New Nontraditional Programs, Alabama A&M University
Contact: Marilyn Simpson-Johnson, Call 256-372-4961

  • "Get'em Outside: A Celebration of Environmental Education" Video
  • Intergenerational Nature-Based Therapy
    Using Plants to Bridge the Generations: Horticulture and Intergenerational Learning as Therapy (HILT)     by Vincent A. Lalli, Daniel J. Tennesen and Kristi Lockhart - Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication-4-H Leader's Guide 141L1 .

Houston County Extension Urban Center, Dothan, AL
Contact: Phillip Carter, Urban Regional Extension Agent (UREA) at 334-794-4100 or 334-714-3458

  • Outdoor Learning Classroom Impacts Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Hidden Lakes Elementary School, Dothan, Alabama
  • Interactive and Hands-On Experiences Working with Real Honey Bees and Honey Harvesting

Jefferson County Extension Urban Center
Contact: Luci Davis, UREA at 205-879-6964, ext. 16 or 205-329-1361

  • STAR Geocaching: A Community Outdoor Program
    This program uses GPS handheld devices to track location of hidden treasure based on quadrants plotted on GPS devices. Technical assistance and program support are provided.

Lawrence County Extension Urban Center
Contact: Jerry Chenault, UREA at 256-974-2464 or 256-221-0867

  • Restorative Parks and Gardens for Quiet Time
    A Resource Manual for Faith-Based Gardens,     Alabama Cooperation Extension System, Publication UNP-72

Montgomery County Extension Urban Center
Contact: Roosevelt Robinson, UREA at 334-270-4014 or 334-740-9682

  • Eastern Bluebird Recovery Project: Bird Watching
  • Nature's Classroom, Montgomery Public School System

Mobile County Extension Urban Center
Contact: Michael McIntyre, UREA at 251-574-8445 or 251-259-1265

  • Community Outdoor Program
  • Healthy educational outdoor fun

Conclusion
The information and resources cited in this article will help fathers, particularly absent, non-custodial dads, to communicate to their daughters that they are "the apple of his eye." Additionally, family and community advocates should consider the resources cited when conferring with dads on the wide variety of outdoor opportunities available to support quality interactions between fathers and their children.

References
Lalli, V. A., Tennessen, D. J., and Lockhart, K. (1998). Using plants to bridge the generations: Horticulture and intergenerational learning as therapy. Cornell University Cooperative Extension , 4-H Leader's Guide, 141L10.

Louv, R. (2006). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature deficit disorder. North Carolina: Algonquin Books.

Ogbuja, G. C. (May 27, 2008). Absent fathers: Its Impact on the Family. OnlineNigeria.com. Retrieved October 10, 2008.

Peterson, D. L. (May 2004). Father-daughter relationships: Does paternal involvement affect risk-taking behavior in women? Retrieved October 10, 2008.

Vanderbilt University. (September 27, 1999). Father-daughter relationship crucial to when girls enter puberty. Science News. Retrieved October 10, 2008.

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