ABSTRACT
While fathers can play an important and positive role in their children’s literacy development, many are uncertain about their ability to support their children’s learning and are often unsure of where and when to start. Consequently, fathers need to be both encouraged and valued in their efforts to be involved in their children’s literacy. Supporting fathers in fostering their children’s literacy development is a worthy endeavor since fathers are more inclined to use alternative and engaging print-related literacy activities with their children, including, newspapers, magazines, and maps, as well as computer-generated writing activities. Using Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity, this chapter explores the key roles that 12 African American fathers played in their children’s literacy development: Teaching at or through frustration level, adaptation, providing literacy opportunities, modeling reading, and Dad play. Both masculinity and fatherhood are not fixed biological behaviors but are constantly being recreated in ways that positively influence academic outcomes for their children.
