Parenting and Paternity Parenting and Paternity AwarenessAwareness

p.a.p.a.p.a.p.a.

Cynthia Osborne, Ph.D.Cynthia Osborne, Ph.D.Center for Health and Social PolicyCenter for Health and Social Policy

LBJ School of Public AffairsLBJ School of Public AffairsUniversity of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austinyy

September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

Main TakeawaysMain TakeawaysMain TakeawaysMain TakeawaysStateState--wide support for goals and approach of wide support for goals and approach of p.a.p.a.p.a.p.a.

i i i d d f di i i d d f dp.a.p.a.p.a.p.a. is innovative and meets an unmet need for studentsis innovative and meets an unmet need for students

Teachers, principals, and students think it is relevant and Teachers, principals, and students think it is relevant and necessarynecessary

Students’ knowledge increased, especially in areas unique to Students’ knowledge increased, especially in areas unique to p.a.p.a.p.a.p.a. –– but knowledge remains lowbut knowledge remains low

Students’ are more likely to want to establish paternity and Students’ are more likely to want to establish paternity and y p yy p ykeep both parents involved keep both parents involved

Students less likely to want a child prior to marriage Students less likely to want a child prior to marriage –– but but y p gy p greal changes in behavior are unknownreal changes in behavior are unknown

Fertility Trends in TexasFertility Trends in TexasFertility Trends in TexasFertility Trends in TexasOver 40% of children are born to unmarried parents.Over 40% of children are born to unmarried parents.

In Texas, each day 146 babies are born to a teen In Texas, each day 146 babies are born to a teen mom and another 201 teens become pregnantmom and another 201 teens become pregnantmom, and another 201 teens become pregnantmom, and another 201 teens become pregnant

Texas has 3Texas has 3rdrd highest teen birthrate. Highest very highest teen birthrate. Highest very young teen pregnancy rateyoung teen pregnancy rate

C f hildb i i T hC f hildb i i T hCost of teen childbearing in Texas was more than Cost of teen childbearing in Texas was more than $1 Billion in 2004$1 Billion in 2004

Nonmarital Childbearing Has Nonmarital Childbearing Has I d Si ifi lI d Si ifi lIncreased SignificantlyIncreased Significantly

80Percent of U.S. Births to Unmarried Women by Race/EthnicityPercent of U.S. Births to Unmarried Women by Race/Ethnicity

72

51607080

40

304050

28

102030

01960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2005 2007

Total N H White N H Black HispanicTotal N-H White N-H Black Hispanic

Source: Child Trends data bank, National Center for Health Statistics

% of % of U.S. Births U.S. Births to Unmarried Women by Ageto Unmarried Women by Agey gy g20062006

8490 84

58708090

58

405060

31

18 16 19203040

01020

<20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40+

Source: US Census

Teen Birthrates in Texas and U.S.Teen Birthrates in Texas and U.S.Teen Birthrates in Texas and U.S.Teen Birthrates in Texas and U.S.

99100# of births to teens, per 1000 teens

67 2

99

708090

100

33 8

67.2

405060

33.8

0102030

0

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

T U S Whit Bl k Hi iTexas U.S. White Black Hispanic

Source: National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

Goals of p.a.p.a.Goals of p.a.p.a.Goals of p.a.p.a.Goals of p.a.p.a.Educate young people about the rights, responsibilities, and Educate young people about the rights, responsibilities, and realities of parentingrealities of parentingrealities of parenting.realities of parenting.

Encourage optimal sequencing behavior: finish your Encourage optimal sequencing behavior: finish your education, get a job, form a healthy relationship, THEN have education, get a job, form a healthy relationship, THEN have children.children.

Encourage both parents to be financially and emotionally Encourage both parents to be financially and emotionally committed to their children; even if they do not live together.committed to their children; even if they do not live together.

Decrease the number of kids born to parents who are not Decrease the number of kids born to parents who are not prepared to raise themprepared to raise themprepared to raise them.prepared to raise them.

Background of p.a.p.a.Background of p.a.p.a.

Developed by Texas Office of the Attorney GeneralDeveloped by Texas Office of the Attorney General

Aim is to address child support and paternity issues BEFORE Aim is to address child support and paternity issues BEFORE a pregnancy occurs. a pregnancy occurs.

First large scale effort to use child support and paternity as First large scale effort to use child support and paternity as basis for program on parenting.basis for program on parenting.

In 2007, Texas legislator voted to make In 2007, Texas legislator voted to make p.a.p.ap.a.p.a.. a mandatory a mandatory component of the state’s health curriculum: bipartisan supportcomponent of the state’s health curriculum: bipartisan support

Implemented statewide in fall 2008.Implemented statewide in fall 2008.

Health is no longer mandatory but if health is taughtHealth is no longer mandatory but if health is taught p.a.p.ap.a.p.a..Health is no longer mandatory, but if health is taught, Health is no longer mandatory, but if health is taught, p.a.p.ap.a.p.a..must be taught.must be taught.

Description of p.a.p.a. CurriculumDescription of p.a.p.a. CurriculumDescription of p.a.p.a. CurriculumDescription of p.a.p.a. Curriculum

Taught by health teachers who were Taught by health teachers who were trained by OAGtrained by OAG

1414--hour curriculum:hour curriculum:https://www oag state tx us/cs/ofi/papa/sessions/https://www oag state tx us/cs/ofi/papa/sessions/https://www.oag.state.tx.us/cs/ofi/papa/sessions/https://www.oag.state.tx.us/cs/ofi/papa/sessions/

Video segments accompany each sessionVideo segments accompany each session

FREE and available online; updated regularlyFREE and available online; updated regularly

Linked to the TEKS (state curriculum standards)Linked to the TEKS (state curriculum standards)

Final E al ation ReportFinal E al ation ReportFinal Evaluation Report: Final Evaluation Report: http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/sites/default/files/file/news/Final%20report%202010%2010_14.pdfhttp://www.utexas.edu/lbj/sites/default/files/file/news/Final%20report%202010%2010_14.pdf

Overview of EvaluationOverview of EvaluationFour semesters: 2008 Four semesters: 2008 –– 20102010

Sampled ~10,000 students from 50 randomly selected schools Sampled ~10,000 students from 50 randomly selected schools in TXin TXAdmini t r d pr nd p t m nt n kn l d ndAdmini t r d pr nd p t m nt n kn l d ndAdministered pre and post assessments on knowledge and Administered pre and post assessments on knowledge and attitudesattitudes

C d d f i h 5 d f 4 h lC d d f i h 5 d f 4 h lConducted focus groups with 75 students from 4 schoolsConducted focus groups with 75 students from 4 schools

Complete data on 5,730 students from 47 schoolsComplete data on 5,730 students from 47 schoolsp ,p ,Dem. characteristics are similar to all Texas High School studentsDem. characteristics are similar to all Texas High School students

Interviewed teachers and principalsInterviewed teachers and principalsp pp p

Changes in Knowledge ScoresChanges in Knowledge ScoresPre and Post Pre and Post p.a.p.ap.a.p.a..

100% Correct

69.677.9

70

80

90 *

50

60

70

30

40

50

0

10

20

0

Pre PostScore based on percent correct from 18 content based questions.

Changes in KnowledgeChanges in Knowledgeg gg gAll students show significant gains in content All students show significant gains in content knowledge from knowledge from p.a.p.ap.a.p.a..ow edge oow edge o p. .p.p. .p. ..

Teens more “atTeens more “at--risk” of early pregnancy have less risk” of early pregnancy have less k l d i tk l d i t d i i k l dd i i k l dknowledge prior to knowledge prior to p.a.p.ap.a.p.a.. and gains in knowledge and gains in knowledge are fewer.are fewer.

Teen parents have less knowledge prior to Teen parents have less knowledge prior to p.a.p.ap.a.p.a.., , but show larger gains.but show larger gains.

Gains in knowledge were smaller in second year of Gains in knowledge were smaller in second year of p a p ap a p a indicating need for continued educationindicating need for continued educationp.a.p.ap.a.p.a.., indicating need for continued education., indicating need for continued education.

Parenting QuestionsParenting Questions

91.783 5

89.392.5100* *

% Correct

83.5

64.571.1

60708090 *

16 927.3

30405060

*

16.9

01020

When an infantcries, it is

important to:

If parentsseparate, theirchildren will

Young childrenaren't impactedby their parents'

The averageadditional cost

per month for onebenefit if they: fighting… child in TX:

Pre Post

Relationship QuestionsRelationship QuestionsRelationship QuestionsRelationship Questions

85 7 86 7100 *

*

% Correct

85.7

73.279.7

86.7

708090 *

405060

10203040

010

A key factor in a having a healthy, Warning sign of a potentially abusivelong-lasting relationship is: relationship?

Pre Post

Paternity Establishment QuestionsPaternity Establishment QuestionsPaternity Establishment QuestionsPaternity Establishment Questions

89.8100* % Correct

83.1

58 9

72.5

89.8

708090 *

58.9

405060

10203040

010

A benefit of establishing paternity; 3 ways to establish paternity. Whichfather's name on birth cert. is NOT a way?

Pre Post

Child Support QuestionsChild Support Questions

80 6 80 389.7 84 481 990

100 * **

% Correct

80.6 80.367.4

43 1

84.4

62.9

81.9

60708090 *

43.1

20304050

010

NCPs do NOT An NCP who An NCP who What % of nethave to pay c.s. ifthey do NOT getto see their child?

does not pay c.s.can have his IRSrefund or lottery $

does not pay c.s.can have his

license

income is paid inc.s. for one child?

withheld? suspended?

Pre Post

Parenting Responsibility QuestionsParenting Responsibility Questions

89.2 87.391.2 88.190

100* % Correct

53.150607080

*

25.9

1020304050

010

Parent with the legali f hild i ?

Both the CP and NCPl ll ibl

At nonmarital birth, thebi d d h hprimary care of child is? are legally responsible

for their childfinancially?

bio dad has the samelegal rights and

responsibilities as thebio mom?

Pre Post

Summary of Knowledge GainsSummary of Knowledge GainsSummary of Knowledge GainsSummary of Knowledge Gains

Knowledge gains greatest in content areas unique to Knowledge gains greatest in content areas unique to g g g qg g g qp.a.p.ap.a.p.a..

Legal rights and responsibilities of unmarried father (105%)Legal rights and responsibilities of unmarried father (105%)g g p ( )g g p ( )Cost per month to raise a child (61.5%)Cost per month to raise a child (61.5%)Percentage of net income on child support (45.9%)Percentage of net income on child support (45.9%)g pp ( %)g pp ( %)Pathways to paternity establishment (23.1%)Pathways to paternity establishment (23.1%)

Summary of Knowledge GainsSummary of Knowledge GainsSummary of Knowledge GainsSummary of Knowledge Gains

Despite gains, knowledge remains low in key areas, Despite gains, knowledge remains low in key areas, p g g yp g g yindicating need for more information.indicating need for more information.

Legal rights and responsibilities of unmarried father Legal rights and responsibilities of unmarried father (53.1%)(53.1%)g g pg g p ( )( )

Cost per month to raise a child (27.3%)Cost per month to raise a child (27.3%)Percentage of net income on child support (62.9%)Percentage of net income on child support (62.9%)g pp ( %)g pp ( %)Pathways to paternity establishment (72.5%)Pathways to paternity establishment (72.5%)

Summary of AttitudesSummary of AttitudesSummary of AttitudesSummary of Attitudes

Students attitudes are more “pro social” in key areas Students attitudes are more “pro social” in key areas unique to unique to p.a.p.a.p.a.p.a.

More likely to think it is important to be married prior to More likely to think it is important to be married prior to having a childhaving a childMore likely to think establishing paternity is importantMore likely to think establishing paternity is importantMore likely to think it is important to have both parents More likely to think it is important to have both parents involved, even if not marriedinvolved, even if not married

Summary of BehaviorSummary of BehaviorSummary of BehaviorSummary of BehaviorStudents are less likely to want a child at an early age Students are less likely to want a child at an early age than marriage (21% decline)than marriage (21% decline)than marriage (21% decline)than marriage (21% decline)

Students more aware of how their behaviors may lead Students more aware of how their behaviors may lead yyto early parentingto early parenting

Students do NOT get a strong message from theirStudents do NOT get a strong message from theirStudents do NOT get a strong message from their Students do NOT get a strong message from their parents about delaying child bearingparents about delaying child bearing

Students do NOT talk about future plans or healthy Students do NOT talk about future plans or healthy choices with parents or in churches choices with parents or in churches –– they talk with they talk with h i f i dh i f i dtheir friends. their friends.

Purpose and Relevance of p.a.p.a.Purpose and Relevance of p.a.p.a.Students claim the primary purpose is to teach young Students claim the primary purpose is to teach young people about the consequences of early parenting and people about the consequences of early parenting and encourage students to wait until they are ready.encourage students to wait until they are ready.

A participant in Central Texas stated, A participant in Central Texas stated, “[“[p.a.p.a.p.a.p.a.] shows you ] shows you th lif t l f b i p t p ibiliti [th ] thith lif t l f b i p t p ibiliti [th ] thithe lifestyle of being a young parent, your responsibilities, [the] things the lifestyle of being a young parent, your responsibilities, [the] things you can’t do. You can’t play football, you can’t go out with your you can’t do. You can’t play football, you can’t go out with your friends. You have to be with that child 24friends. You have to be with that child 24--7. So you have no life 7. So you have no life ff y fy freally.”really.”Another student from Central Texas underscored her Another student from Central Texas underscored her

j k fj k f “Th [ h i h“Th [ h i hmajor take away from major take away from p.a.p.a.p.a.p.a.,, “They [the teen parents in the “They [the teen parents in the videos] did a great job! They made me change my mind [from] videos] did a great job! They made me change my mind [from] somebody who wanted to be young and pregnant …to someone whosomebody who wanted to be young and pregnant …to someone whosomebody who wanted to be young and pregnant …to someone who somebody who wanted to be young and pregnant …to someone who thinks [that] I want to be able to provide for my baby.”thinks [that] I want to be able to provide for my baby.”

Realities of Early ParentingRealities of Early ParentingTTTimeTime

A student from North Central Texas remarkedA student from North Central Texas remarkedA student from North Central Texas remarked, A student from North Central Texas remarked, “If you don’t have a kid, you’re going to have more time “If you don’t have a kid, you’re going to have more time to spend with your friends you can study you’re free ”to spend with your friends you can study you’re free ”to spend with your friends, you can study, you re free.to spend with your friends, you can study, you re free.

O d f h Ri G d V ll dO d f h Ri G d V ll dOne student from the Rio Grande Valley statedOne student from the Rio Grande Valley stated, , “You don’t really have time for yourself anymore because “You don’t really have time for yourself anymore because

h l k f S i ’ llh l k f S i ’ llyou have someone else to take care of. So it’s not all you have someone else to take care of. So it’s not all about you anymore, it’s simply about the child.”about you anymore, it’s simply about the child.”

Realities of Early ParentingRealities of Early ParentingS crificeS crificeSacrificeSacrifice

A participant in Central Texas remarkedA participant in Central Texas remarked “I think“I thinkA participant in Central Texas remarked, A participant in Central Texas remarked, I think I think about all the goals that I want to reach, having a kid about all the goals that I want to reach, having a kid [now] would just ruin everything ”[now] would just ruin everything ”[now] would just ruin everything.[now] would just ruin everything.

A d f h Ri G d V ll dA d f h Ri G d V ll dA student from the Rio Grande Valley stated, A student from the Rio Grande Valley stated, “You lose a lot of opportunities for school, college, and “You lose a lot of opportunities for school, college, and

i i hi b h b d li i hi b h b d lexperiencing new things because you have somebody else to experiencing new things because you have somebody else to take care of.”take care of.”

Realities of Early ParentingRealities of Early ParentingCostCost

Two students from the Panhandle relayed their thoughts,Two students from the Panhandle relayed their thoughts,Two students from the Panhandle relayed their thoughts, Two students from the Panhandle relayed their thoughts, “[It’s] striking info about how much stuff costs and how hard it is for “[It’s] striking info about how much stuff costs and how hard it is for those people being interviewed to raise a child on their own.”those people being interviewed to raise a child on their own.”

Another added, Another added, “Especially like child support and the health care. “Especially like child support and the health care. Kids are expensive and it’s hard to take care of them ”Kids are expensive and it’s hard to take care of them ”Kids are expensive and it s hard to take care of them.Kids are expensive and it s hard to take care of them.

A third participant from the Panhandle elaborated, A third participant from the Panhandle elaborated, “I knew it “I knew it was expensive, but when they started talking about child support… it is was expensive, but when they started talking about child support… it is a lot. I knew you’d have to buy diapers and stuff, but then with the child a lot. I knew you’d have to buy diapers and stuff, but then with the child support a job and be in school It’s a lot to handle at this age ”support a job and be in school It’s a lot to handle at this age ”support… a job, and be in school. It s a lot to handle at this age.support… a job, and be in school. It s a lot to handle at this age.

Realities of Early ParentingRealities of Early Parenting“M kes Yo Think”“M kes Yo Think”“Makes You Think”“Makes You Think”

A student in Central Texas provided a good summary of why A student in Central Texas provided a good summary of why h h hh h h ii “I h h f h“I h h f hhe thought he thought p.a.p.ap.a.p.a.. was important, was important, “I never thought of the pros “I never thought of the pros and cons of what could have happened because I always wanted to have a and cons of what could have happened because I always wanted to have a child at a young age, cause I’d get to spend more time with my child, so child at a young age, cause I’d get to spend more time with my child, so g g g pg g g pthat I can enjoy them more in my life. But after [that I can enjoy them more in my life. But after [p.a.p.ap.a.p.a..] I’m waiting ] I’m waiting ‘til my 30’s. I never thought of all of those negative things. I just thought, ‘til my 30’s. I never thought of all of those negative things. I just thought, get a job and support your baby, but now…you have to be emotionally get a job and support your baby, but now…you have to be emotionally g j pp y y, y yg j pp y y, y yready.”ready.”

A h i i i C l T d l d f h i hA h i i i C l T d l d f h i hAnother participant in Central Texas delved further into the Another participant in Central Texas delved further into the need to plan for a baby, need to plan for a baby, “You have to be economically ready, “You have to be economically ready, mentally ready, [and] emotionally ready. [You have to] be ready to mentally ready, [and] emotionally ready. [You have to] be ready to

[ h ] kid d k h ’ d i ”[ h ] kid d k h ’ d i ”support [the] kid and know what you’re doing.”support [the] kid and know what you’re doing.”

Relationship IssuesRelationship Issues

Students learned that a baby is a tremendous stressor Students learned that a baby is a tremendous stressor r l ti hipr l ti hipon a relationshipon a relationship

A student from the Panhandle reflected, A student from the Panhandle reflected, “Everyone thinks “Everyone thinks th t wh n th y g t pr gn nt th t th ir r l tionship is just going to st yth t wh n th y g t pr gn nt th t th ir r l tionship is just going to st ythat when they get pregnant that their relationship is just going to stay that when they get pregnant that their relationship is just going to stay together, that it will get better, but it won’t; it gets harder and they together, that it will get better, but it won’t; it gets harder and they don’t usually stay together.”don’t usually stay together.”don t usually stay together.don t usually stay together.

One participant in Central Texas commentedOne participant in Central Texas commented “It gets“It getsOne participant in Central Texas commented, One participant in Central Texas commented, It gets It gets frustrating, even when you’re boyfriend and girlfriend, when you argue frustrating, even when you’re boyfriend and girlfriend, when you argue and stuff, you’re going to argue even more when the baby is born.”and stuff, you’re going to argue even more when the baby is born.”ff y g g g yff y g g g y

Effectiveness of p.a.p.a.Effectiveness of p.a.p.a.Students thought Students thought p.a.p.ap.a.p.a.. would influence their would influence their behavior, but were skeptical that it would change behavior, but were skeptical that it would change everyone.everyone.

One student from the Rio Grande Valley commented One student from the Rio Grande Valley commented about the effect the program had on him, about the effect the program had on him, “You’re going to “You’re going to think twice before you do something that you’re going to regret.” think twice before you do something that you’re going to regret.”

One student from the Panhandle assertedOne student from the Panhandle asserted, “You can tell them , “You can tell them and they can understand, but they’re going to do what they want.”and they can understand, but they’re going to do what they want.”y , y g g yy , y g g y

“[The information] will be in the back of their heads; they’re still “[The information] will be in the back of their heads; they’re still going to do it but they will have it in the back of their heads ”going to do it but they will have it in the back of their heads ”going to do it, but they will have it in the back of their heads.going to do it, but they will have it in the back of their heads.

Retention of KnowledgeRetention of KnowledgeRetention of KnowledgeRetention of Knowledge

Students did not retain all of theStudents did not retain all of the factsfacts they hadthey hadStudents did not retain all of the Students did not retain all of the factsfacts they had they had learned.learned.

But students remembered the But students remembered the feelingsfeelings that that p.a.p.ap.a.p.a.. spurred. It was still “with” them.spurred. It was still “with” them.

Students would like more.Students would like more.

Lessons Learned fromLessons Learned from p.a.p.ap.a.p.a..Lessons Learned from Lessons Learned from p.a.p.ap.a.p.a..For broad support, focus on “why” not to have a baby before For broad support, focus on “why” not to have a baby before

’ d’ dyou’re readyyou’re ready

Schools (administrators and teachers) desire a complement to Schools (administrators and teachers) desire a complement to existing effortsexisting efforts

Mandatory in health curriculum insures it is not marginalized;Mandatory in health curriculum insures it is not marginalized;Mandatory in health curriculum insures it is not marginalized; Mandatory in health curriculum insures it is not marginalized; schools need help to align curriculumschools need help to align curriculum

Training is key: free inTraining is key: free in house knowledgeable trainershouse knowledgeable trainersTraining is key: free, inTraining is key: free, in--house, knowledgeable trainershouse, knowledgeable trainers

Beginning early and offering often may improve resultsBeginning early and offering often may improve results