Father involvement is critical for youth’s development across their lifespan (Barton, Kogan, Cho, & Brown, 2015; Doyle, Clark Goings, Cryer-Coupet, Lombe, Stephens, & Nebbitt, 2017; Passley, Gerring, & Gerson, 2007). Thus, researchers indicate the importance of understanding factors that impact father’s involvement. A father’s perception of fatherhood and father’s identities are two factors that significantly influence father involvement. Additionally, several contextual factors have been highlighted in prior research as impactful of father involvement. However, initial research on fatherhood was conducted primarily with White fathers, therefore informing fatherhood norms based on the experiences of White men. Scholars have advocated more research on fathers of color and an emergence of literature on Black fathers has surfaced. This study aimed to contribute to the fatherhood literature by understanding Black fathers’ experiences in constructing their perception of fatherhood and developing their father identities. Of extant literature few studies have sought to understand how father perceptions, identity, and involvement inform each other and change over time. Thus, this study sought to address this gap in the literature. Additionally, 48% of Black children are raised in single-parent homes (United States Census Bureau, 2018). This study aimed to gain insight on fathers from various family of origins experiences on constructing their perceptions, identities, and involvement. A phenomenological qualitative design was utilized to address the aims of this study. Participants in this study included 30 Black fathers who completed semi-structured focus groups. Qualitative results revealed numerous themes encompassing fathers’ perceptions, identities, and involvement. Implications for clinicians, researchers, and program developers are discussed.
