Click Here to hear Jon Pinnick talk about why fathers stay or go

When faced with the realization that a teen will soon become a parent, many questions are raised from people about the father.  The first one is typically, what role if any will the father have in the child’s life?

Lehman said that few fathers end up being a part in the end.

“Over the long haul…  I’m going to say one out of ten,” she said.  When a father decides he wants to be involved in the baby’s life, it’s not always difficult. According to Weimer a lot of a person’s involvement depends on how much responsibility the grandparents are willing to take.

“That’s a reality.  That the parents are going to have to take a huge responsibility in this, whether they want to or not,” she said.  “And the student has placed that on them without thinking.”

The maturity of the father and mother both play a role in if he will stay in the picture.  Because they are so young, Weimer said, they don’t fully grasp the responsibility they have with a child.

Fathers leave the picture many times at the urging of the girl’s parents.  At times there is resentment towards the father because he has in their mind corrupted their daughter, according to Weimer. 

Joe, a student and soon to be father, said that he will stay around and will be involved.  He is at an advantage over many teen parents because his parents and friends are supporting him financially and in other ways.