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Family Man

Teen dads aren't known for meeting their parental responsibilities, but Bobby Krotendorfer wants to stick around.

Bobby Krotendorfer, 20, with his 18-month-old son, Junior, and his girlfriend Lori Ball's daughters, 5-year-old Faith, left, and 3-year-old Hope, at home in Waldorf. Bobby is trying to be a loving dad and a strong breadwinner, but the recession has made providing for his young family financially difficult.

Bobby Krotendorfer, 20, with his 18-month-old son, Junior, and his girlfriend Lori Ball's daughters, 5-year-old Faith, left, and 3-year-old Hope, at home in Waldorf. Bobby is trying to be a loving dad and a strong breadwinner, but the recession has made providing for his young family financially difficult.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Many expect young fathers like Bobby to skip town by the time their children are born, but experts say teen dads in rural areas tend to marry their girlfriends. In urban areas like Washington, more than three out of four fathers are romantically involved -- and living with their girlfriends -- when their children are born.

Many expect young fathers like Bobby to skip town by the time their children are born, but experts say teen dads in rural areas tend to marry their girlfriends. In urban areas like Washington, more than three out of four fathers are romantically involved -- and living with their girlfriends -- when their children are born.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Junior tries to play with his dad as he's resting. When Lori told Bobby they were going to have a child, he says: "I took it as it was. I was going to be a man." He would later confide the idea of being a loving father scared him -- a lot.

Junior tries to play with his dad as he's resting. When Lori told Bobby they were going to have a child, he says: "I took it as it was. I was going to be a man." He would later confide the idea of being a loving father scared him -- a lot.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

The kids have a fun time playing with packing paper.

The kids have a fun time playing with packing paper.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Lori often texts Bobby throughout the day.

Lori often texts Bobby throughout the day.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Bobby rounds up the kids to get them into a minivan.

Bobby rounds up the kids to get them into a minivan.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Bobby enjoys a playful moment with the children during a neighborhood walk.

Bobby enjoys a playful moment with the children during a neighborhood walk.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Lori and Bobby look over some bills.

Lori and Bobby look over some bills.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Lori greets Bobby in the kitchen.

Lori greets Bobby in the kitchen.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Bobby cleans up at the Waldorf car wash where he was recently hired. "I'm trying the best I can to do what I gotta do," he says.

Bobby cleans up at the Waldorf car wash where he was recently hired. "I'm trying the best I can to do what I gotta do," he says.

Copyright Rebecca Drobis

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Troy Witcher Text Editor Amanda McGrath

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