Prior research on young adult fathers has included a limited number of ecological studies of this population. The purpose of the present study was to address this void in the literature by exploring the paternal commitments of adolescent and young adult fathers. We hypothesized that a qualitative study of young fathers would reveal a rich understanding of their perspectives and experiences during the prenatal period through the first year of the child’s life and the ecological issues that emerged during this period. We conducted initial interviews with 34 fathers ranging in age from 15 to 24 years old at the announcement of the pregnancy and again by the child’s first birthday. The results of a content analysis of the interviews are presented within an ecosystemic framework, which illustrates how numerous factors converge to influence a young father’s commitment to his child. Our findings indicate that, despite mixed reactions to the initial announcement of the pregnancy and numerous disadvantages in their lives, these young men generally showed a willingness to assume paternal responsibilities. The participants also revealed key issues associated with the mother of the child, living arrangements, the mother’s family, the labor market, and social and health services. Implications of these findings for effective outreach, services for young fathers, and future research are discussed.

先前对年轻成年父亲的研究包括对该人群进行的有限数量的生态研究。本研究的目的是通过探索青少年和年轻成年父亲的父亲承诺来解决文献中的这一空白。我们假设对年轻父亲的定性研究将揭示他们在产前到孩子生命第一年的观点和经历以及在此期间出现的生态问题的丰富理解。我们在宣布怀孕时和孩子一岁生日时对 34 位年龄从 15 岁到 24 岁不等的父亲进行了初步访谈。访谈内容分析的结果在生态系统框架内呈现，这说明了众多因素如何汇聚影响年轻父亲对孩子的承诺。我们的研究结果表明，尽管对怀孕的最初宣布和他们生活中的许多不利因素反应不一，但这些年轻人普遍表现出承担父亲责任的意愿。参与者还揭示了与孩子的母亲、生活安排、母亲的家庭、劳动力市场以及社会和卫生服务相关的关键问题。讨论了这些发现对有效外展、年轻父亲服务和未来研究的影响。这些年轻人普遍表现出承担父亲责任的意愿。参与者还揭示了与孩子的母亲、生活安排、母亲的家庭、劳动力市场以及社会和卫生服务相关的关键问题。讨论了这些发现对有效外展、年轻父亲服务和未来研究的影响。这些年轻人普遍表现出承担父亲责任的意愿。参与者还揭示了与孩子的母亲、生活安排、母亲的家庭、劳动力市场以及社会和卫生服务相关的关键问题。讨论了这些发现对有效外展、年轻父亲服务和未来研究的影响。