Final answer:
Media critiques often portray poor teen fathers as irresponsible, but 'Doing the Best I Can' contradicts this by showing teen fathers as engaged and striving for parenthood. Other studies, like that of the Aka tribe's involved fathers and Lareau's research on parenting across socioeconomic backgrounds, highlight the diversity in fatherhood experiences and expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discussion around poor teen fathers in media often centers on cultural critiques that suggest they are irresponsible and disconnected from their children. However, in 'Doing the Best I Can' by Edin and Nelson, findings refute this stereotype by presenting teen fathers who are engaged and striving to be good parents in challenging circumstances. This cultural critique is contrasted with studies such as Barry Hewlett's research on the Aka of central Africa, where fathers are highly involved in their children's lives.
Additionally, societal norms and parenting expectations are shown to differ across various demographics, including socioeconomic status, as illustrated by Lareau's study on parenting techniques amongst different economic backgrounds. Moreover, it is evident that fathers play a critical role in the socialization of gender roles within the family, often having firmer expectations for their sons to conform to masculine ideals.