Role of Father’s Engagement in Youth Recreation Programs

Fathers can play an essential role in their children's development, including their physical, emotional, and social health, self-esteem, academic achievement, and resilience. Thus, fathers' involvement with youth programs may play a significant role in a child's life. The objectives of this study were to explore: (a) fathers' perceptions of their role when it comes to their children's participation in youth programs; and (b) youth program practitioners' perceptions of roles that fathers play in youth's engagement in youth programs. Employing the Big Three Model of positive youth development, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 fathers of youth (ages 7-14) participating in youth programs and six youth program practitioners. Several themes emerged from the data, including fathers as providers of love and support, fathers as role models of active lifestyle, fathers as builders of well-rounded children, fathers as resource providers, and fathers as distractors.