Alumni members are expected to serve as peer mentors for future Academy participants. Caution in the implementation of parenthood programs for males should be exercised in light of the mixed evidence concerning the effects of male adolescent involvement in a parental role on mother and offspring. It is likely that in these and other ways, young fathers have an indirect influence on their infants' cognitive and social-emotional development. Among year-olds, over one of four young black men had become absent fathers; in contrast to only 3 percent of white and 9 percent of Hispanic year-olds were absent fathers Lerman,

INTRODUCTION

YFCF recognizes that each volunteer possesses a wealth of personal resources like life skills, talents, professional training, and life experiences. However, there were no significant difference in income between adolescent fathers and their classmates. Adolescent fathers have variously been viewed as unscrupulous, irresponsible, and uncontrolled who have little control over their lives. However, more research is needed to evaluate the causal direction of these effects in light of evidence that early termination of formal education may be a precursor of adolescent fatherhood.