The need for and effectiveness of surrogate role models among single-parent children.

Divorce typically causes children to lose time with their fathers. Big Brother-Big Sister agencies have been established to provide same-sex adult companions for children in single-parent homes and are thought to be an effective primary prevention agency by providing natural caregiving. A needs assessment made in one city indicated that a majority of single-parent children desired an adult (nonparent) companion, regardless of child's age or amount of social activity. A program evaluation of a Big Brother-Big Sister agency, completed several years after the needs assessment, revealed that parentsand agency volunteers perceived positive changes in the children as a result of program involvement.