Explore the Curriculum

Fathers and Sons

Picture of father and son

Scroll down to view the sessions. There are 15 total sessions in the Fathers and Sons curriculum. Each one builds on the last, and the goal of the overall program is to build effective communication, cultural awareness, and build skills that will build parenting skills.


Session 1
Program Overview

The purpose of session one is to provide an overview of the Chicago Fathers and Sons Program. This session is also designed to acquaint participants with one another and initiate interaction within the group. Participants’ expectations of the program and the program’s expectations of them are discussed. Other discussion topics include safety as it relates to physical activity.
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Session 2
Family Diversity and Adolescent Development

The purpose of session two is for fathers and sons to understand the legacy of African American families and the unique development and changes associated with adolescence. Discussion topics include African American families in the United States, family diversity, and adolescent health and well-being.
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Session 3
People of African Heritage

The purpose of session three is to educate participants about people of African heritage to help them appreciate how African American culture is a part of African heritage and how we are all connected.
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Session 4
General Communication

The purpose of session four is to introduce participants to the concept of communication and to discuss different ways in which fathers and sons can have meaningful communication with one another.
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Session 5
Social Media 1 - Using Social Media

The purpose of session five is to increase family knowledge about technological devices and applications for communicating.
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Session 6
Fathers and Sons Having Their Say

The purpose of session six is to allow fathers and sons time to share their feelings about the program. It is also a time to reflect on what has been learned, reinforce important knowledge and skill building strategies, and determine if there are any issues that need to be addressed before moving ahead with the program. Fathers and Sons will also plan a community service project in the area they live in which they may complete with one another.
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Session 7
Family Functioning and Parenting Behaviors

The purpose of session seven is to begin discussions about the importance of parenting behaviors, values, and expectations for what are acceptable and unacceptable attitudes and behaviors for children. The focus will be on interpersonal relationships, substance use, violent behaviors and early sexual initiation. Sons will also have an opportunity to talk about these issues using pictures taken to represent their concerns.
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Session 8
Parenting Behaviors and Social Networks

The purpose of session eight is to build on what was learned in session seven about parenting behaviors and begin discussions about personal relationships and community supports, as they relate to health risk and protective behaviors.
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Session 9
Substance Use Communication

The purpose of session nine is to provide participants with information that will be useful in efforts to prevent substance use among sons. PowerPoint presentations are used to share information on risky behaviors associated with substance use among adolescents. In addition, exercises that explore family attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding these risky behaviors are facilitated. Information used for addressing substance abuse among fathers is also provided.
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Session 10
Sexual Behavior Communication

The purpose of session ten is to provide participants with information that should be useful in efforts to delay early sex initiation among sons. PowerPoint presentations are used to share information on risky behaviors associated with sexual initiation among adolescents. In addition, exercises that explore family attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding these risky behaviors are facilitated.
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Session 11
Violence Communication

The purpose of session eleven is to expose participants to information that will be useful in efforts to prevent or reduce aggressive behaviors among sons. A PowerPoint presentation will be used to provide information on factors associated with youth violence and the prevalence of violence in the Chicago area. Discussions of attitudes and beliefs will be facilitated so that parental values and expectations about risky behaviors during adolescence can be communicated.
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Session 12
Violence Communication 2

The purpose of session twelve is to expose participants to information that should be useful in efforts to raise awareness about bullying. A PowerPoint presentation will be used to provide knowledge and information regarding bullying and a discussion on attitudes and beliefs will be facilitated so that parental values and expectations regarding bullying can be communicated.
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Session 13
Social Media 2 - Social and Risky Behaviors

The purpose of session thirteen is to increase family knowledge about risky behaviors on social media outlets and to give fathers and sons strategies for monitoring this behavior.
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Session 14
Culture and Health

The purpose of session fourteen is to introduce African cultural practices as health promoting strategies for physical and mental well-being.
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Session 15
Closing Ceremony

The purpose of session fifteen is to congratulate participants for completing the program and to provide them with resources in the community to assist them in continuing to strengthen their relationships. Participants will present materials created throughout the program, share insight into their experiences, and invite family and friends to share in their success.
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