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Thesis
Exploring the Role of Fathers in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6806
Abstract
Background: In 2014, nearly 15% of the United States (US) population lived in poverty. Various social programs under the auspices of numerous government agencies have been developed in support of this population, offering financial, housing and medical assistance. One such program, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Assistance program provides education, medical screenings and nutrition subsidies to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as to children up to five years of age. As the name of the program insinuates, men are ineligible for enrollment. While men may not be eligible to receive WIC benefits, research suggests that men play an influential role in birthing, breastfeeding, and early childhood outcomes. For example, a systematic review from Alio, illustrated how pregnant women residing with the father of the their unborn child would be more likely to obtain prenatal care. A 2009 study regarding childhood development, correlated paternal participation during pregnancy and infancy with long-term father accessibility. There are gaps in the literature, however, regarding the role that WIC plays in incorporating and fostering the male role and advocating for their participation in WIC to help elicit those same outcomes. Goals/Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to explore the experiences of fathers with WIC including enrollment, interactions with WIC administration and nutritionists, involvements with WIC-Education (WIC-Ed), and negotiating WIC vouchers. Secondary objectives include ascertaining an understanding of WIC policy in terms of working with men and specific training for WIC personnel in creating a bias-free environment for men. Methods: This study employed a convergent mixed methods design combining quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) components. Couples and single-fathers were recruited for study participation using advertisements (flyers) and face-to-face recruitment at offices of NORTH, Inc., the WIC provider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A member of the study team administered a pre-screen survey and conducted a semi-structured interview with all study participants. Interview results were reviewed via manual thematic analysis and verified by NVivo 10 software. Results: Surveys and semi-structured interviews were completed with seven couples (14 individuals). Three primary themes were identified. Those themes included 1) father participation with the subthemes of full participation, attending without participating, and neither attending not participating; 2) the need for paternal participation with the subthemes of the importance of paternal participation, the fear of coercion, and the role of WIC-Ed.; and 3) the challenges in WIC voucher negotiation. Discussion: In regards to the primary aim of exploring the experiences of fathers, the study revealed that there were few experiences to explore as the majority of male participants (5 of 7) had no interactions with WIC. That fact is compelling as this lack of paternal participation may be result of WIC policies, such as hours of operation and the environment of WIC offices cited by male participants, in direct relation to one of the two secondary aims. Additionally, misconceptions about WIC and its correlation with welfare were also cited as obstacles to participation. Concerning voucher redemption, suspicions regarding gender bias were allayed while examples of racial and socio-economic biases were illustrated. However, the significance of these examples were minimized by the lack of men (only 2 of 7) with any true experiences regarding voucher negotiation.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring the Role of Fathers in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program
- Creators
- D. K. Dychtwald - DU
- Contributors
- Brandy-Joe Milliron (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Nutrition Sciences; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6806; 991014632551804721