Nygren, K., Walsh, J.C., Ellingson, I. et al. (1 more author) (2019) What about the fathers? The presence and absence of the father in social work practice in England, Ireland, Norway and Sweden - a comparative study. Child and Family Social Work, 24 (1). pp. 148-155. ISSN 1356-7500
Abstract
Within Northern Europe, gendered roles and responsibilities within the family have been challenged through an emergence of different family forms, increasing cultural diversity, and progressive developments in welfare policies. To varying degrees, welfare policies in different countries support a dual‐earner model and encourage men to be more active as fathers by reinforcing statutory rights and responsibilities. In child welfare practice, there has traditionally been a strong emphasis on the mother as primary carer for the child; the father has been less visible. This paper explores, in four national welfare contexts, how child welfare social workers include fathers in practice decisions. Data were collected using focus group interviews with social workers from England, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden. Similarities and differences emerge in relation to services and the focus of social work assessments. However, overall, the research suggests that despite gains in policy and legislation that promote gender equality, fathers remain largely absent in child welfare practice decisions about the parenting of their children. From the research, we raise questions for social work practice and the development of welfare policies.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Child and Family Social Work. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Child welfare; comparative research; family policy; fathers; welfare regime |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Sociological Studies (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 12 Jun 2018 13:27 |
Last Modified: | 19 Oct 2021 09:31 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/cfs.12592 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:131918 |