The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children

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The Dads 101 Program and Male Involvement Campaign
Working to Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is the leading cause of death in abusive head trauma cases, and an estimated 1,600 children are injured or killed by shaking every year in the United States. Actual numbers may be much higher because shaking injuries may be misdiagnosed or symptoms overlooked. Approximately 25 percent of all SBS victims die as a result of their injuries, and survivors may suffer permanent disability such as severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, behavioral disorders, and impaired motor and cognitive skills. Many survivors require constant medical or personal attention, which places tremendous emotional and financial strain on families.

The majority of perpetrators in shaken baby cases are male, usually the victim's biological father or the mother's boyfriend. With this in mind, the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome has developed an awareness campaign targeted at the male population comprising programs, products, and materials specifically designed for agencies or groups that work directly with fathers, provide services for women and children, or want to show their commitment to strengthening families. Teaching men the skills they need to be nurturing fathers is one of the cornerstones of child abuse prevention.

The National Center is dedicated to preventing this form of abuse by providing any potential father with a comprehensive understanding of how shaking causes serious injury and preparing them for the stressors that may trigger this kind of abuse. Beyond telling fathers "don't shake," the National Center works toward primary prevention by helping potential fathers form reasonable expectations about caring for young children and teaching them about the importance of being involved in the lives of their children.

The Dads 101 Program is a childbirth education-training program for new and expectant fathers. Presented by a male instructor, participants in this program discuss their concerns about becoming fathers, learn basic caregiving skills, and learn about shaking as a form of abuse and what their role is in preventing it. The program is designed to be a three-session course, each session is about 2 hours long.

Session 1—Gender Stereotypes and Pregnancy
During this first session, the instructor sets the tone for the course by encouraging discussion among participants. Dads learn about how fatherhood has changed over time. They discuss the social and cultural expectations of fathers and how those expectations have changed over generations. Dads also learn about current research on fathering, the benefits of father involvement and the consequences of absent fathers.

Session 2—Fatherhood: The Undiscovered Country & Labor and Delivery
This session discusses the expectations of becoming a father. Participants explore their excitement, anxiety, and concerns about this new role and how it will change their lifestyle and relationships. They also talk about what their own fathers were like, and discuss any parenting methods they want to recreate or avoid. This session also covers what happens during labor and delivery.

Session 3—Coping with Crying and Shaken Baby Syndrome
The final session is information intensive. While the first two sessions are structured around group participation and discussion, the final session teaches participants valuable information about shaken baby syndrome and early infant crying, and the pairing of these topics is intentional. Inconsolable crying is the number one trigger offered by perpetrators who confess to shaking. Since this information is invaluable to both parents, the dads' partners are invited to attend this session. The latest research on early infant crying is presented, and some common myths about crying are discussed. They also learn that it is OK to get frustrated with crying and that it is OK to set their crying baby down in a safe place and take a moment to calm themselves down. Parents learn detailed information on shaken baby syndrome, including victim and perpetrator statistics and how shaking is different from other forms of abuse. They also watch a documentary about a case of shaken baby syndrome and the impact it has on a family.

The Dads 101 Program is being used in hospitals, prisons, detention centers, religious organizations, high schools, community groups, and on military installations. It features testing and evaluation materials and comes with an instructor's manual, participant guidebooks, a shaken baby syndrome documentary, and a CD-ROM with additional support materials. Onsite training for Dads 101 instructors also is available.

For more information, contact:

National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Adam Salazar, Program Specialist
2955 Harrison Blvd., Suite 102
Ogden, UT 84403
Phone: 801.627.3399, ext. 110 or 888.273.0071
Fax: 801.627.3321
Email: asalazar@dontshake.org
Website: http://www.dontshake.org/

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