MEET DR. KEN CANFIELD
Nationally-known Key Note Speaker & Scholar
President of the National Association for Grandparenting
Former Leader of the National Center for Fathering
Served as founding member of former Vice President Al Gore’s “Father to Father” Initiative
Awarded the Father of the Year (1993) by the National Congress for Men and Children
Recipient of the Polish Presidential Medal of Honor (2007).
Presented at more than 200 conferences in a variety of communities, including fatherhood and family conferences in Mexico, Poland, Australia, Russia, Ukraine and Singapore.
Author of the award-winning 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers , The Heart of a Father, The Adventures of Fatherhood Series, They Call Me Dad, as well as several book chapters in edited texts.
Guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show (twice), NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s World News Tonight, Focus on the Family, and numerous radio programs.
Dr. Ken Canfield, a nationally-known leader and scholar, has committed his life to strengthening families and fathers. He has founded and continues to engage in several organizations dedicated to improving family well-being, most notably the National Center for Fathering, where he served as President for 16 years. He is currently president of the National Association for Grandparenting (GrandsMatter.org), which he founded in 2016.
While leading the National Center for Fathering, Dr. Canfield served as a consultant to media, and to national, state and community leaders. He has testified to the National Commission of Children (1990), served as a founding member of former Vice President Al Gore’s “Father to Father” Initiative (1995-2000) and the National Fathers Leadership Group (2002-2006). He has been recognized for his leadership and awarded the Father of the Year (1993) by the National Congress for Men and Children, the Most Outstanding Alumnus (2006) Award from Friends University, and the Polish Presidential Medal of Honor (2007).
Dr. Canfield has keynoted or presented at dozens of state and community conferences, ranging from Governor Jeb Bush’s Florida Summit to Evan Bayh’s Restoring Fatherhood Conference. In addition, he has presented at more than 200 conferences in a variety of communities, including fatherhood and family conferences in Mexico, Poland, Australia, Russia, Ukraine and Singapore.
Dr. Canfield is the author of numerous articles, both popular and scientific. His work has appeared in Psychological Reports, Educational and Psychological Measurements, The World and I, Parents, Today’s Better Life, Living with Children and New Man. He is the author of the award-winning 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers , The Heart of a Father, The Adventures of Fatherhood Series, They Call Me Dad, as well as several book chapters in edited texts.
Besides publishing, Canfield has been heard on a daily weekday radio commentary, Today’s Father (aired on more than 400 stations nationwide, 1993-2006) and now Grands Matter radio (2016). He has been interviewed on The Oprah Winfrey Show (twice), NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s World News Tonight, Focus on the Family, and numerous radio programs.
3-Ways-Grandparents-Can-Create-A-Nurturing-Atmosphere-Within-The-Family
GRANDKIDSMATTER.ORG
In January 2016, the National Association for Grandparenting was founded. Its genesis began several years earlier when I recognized the profound influence of extended family systems on our families and culture. Having spent three decades studying, strengthening and developing initiatives to help families—mostly inthe field of responsible fathering—I found myself in a new era of life: I was a grandfather.
Ken and granddaughter Tenley
Ken and granddaughter Tenley
Consequently, in the summer of 2016 (July), several colleagues, including my wife Dee of forty-two years, soft-launched the National Association for Grandparenting. We started as a humble effort to amass the best practices, research and insights to help grandparents succeed in this important role—one which I believe defines some of the best chapters of their lives.
One of our first public expressions of resources can be found at www.grandkidsmatter.org. There will be many more to come. We are developing a team of passionate and highly skilled people to assist us in this cause.
So, consider this an invitation. If you want to join the team as volunteer, cheerleader and/or spokesperson, let us know of your interest. First and foremost, you can sign up for the Grandkids Matter email newsletter (free). Second, please consider becoming a member of the association. For a very modest fee of $24 a year, you will receive our magazine, benefits (in process) and other perks.
Dee and Ken Canfield
Dee and Ken Canfield
I seriously believe that grandparents will become even more vital as they help strengthen families, communities and nations. Grandparents who prioritize their grandchildren, whether natural or spiritual, will leave a legacy which will not be forgotten. No matter what our situation, there are grand opportunities before us, and it’s up to each of us to make a difference where we can.
PUBLICATIONS
“Alternative Methods for Evaluating the Null Hypothesis” co-author Walter Schumm, National Council of Family Relations, November 2009.
“Pre-Marital Sexual Activity as a Predicator of Post Marital Satisfaction”, National Council of Family Relations, November 2009.
“The Inestimable Value of Responsible Fathering” in Fatherhood: Insights and Perspectives, Children’s Institute, 2009
“Father Closeness: It’s Effect on Married Men’s Sexual Behaviors, Marital and Family Satisfaction” in Journal of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, 15:59-76, 2008
“The Benefits of Small Groups for Fathers,” in Why Fathers Count (University Press, 2007).
They Call me Dad (Simon and Schuster, Howard Press, 2005).
Columnist, Parent Life (Lifeway Publishing, Nashville 2003-07).
Foreword in Clinical and Educational Interventions with Fathers (Haworth Clinical Practice Press, 2001).
“Fathers Matter: Call to Commitment in Children’s Learning, U.S. Department of Education Research Summary (2000).
Engaging Non-Custodial Fathers, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2000).
“Promises Worth Keeping,” chapter in The Fatherhood Movement: A Call to Action (Lexington Books, 1999).
Adventures in Fathering – series of 6 books (National Center for Fathering, 1999).
The Heart of a Father (Northfield, Chicago 1996).
Effective Fathering Practices and Fathering Satisfaction Related to a Father’s Life Course (Kansas State University, 1995).
“Measuring the Dimensions of Effective Fathering”, co-author Gale Roid, published in Educational and Psychological Measurement (1994).
Beside Every Great Dad, co-author Nancy Swihart, (Tyndale, Chicago, 1993).
The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers (Tyndale, Chicago, 1992).
“Factorial Validity of Brief Satisfaction Scales in Fathers,” in Psychological Reports (1990).
The American Family Under Siege (Washington, D.C. 1989).
Additional articles and columns in: Grands Matter, Today’s Father, The World & I, Parents, Today’s Better Life, New Man and Living With Children.
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