Overcoming Gendered Barriers
The predominantly female social work field faces unique challenges when working with fathers, particularly in child and family services. Research highlights how a lack of engagement with fathers often perpetuates stereotypes. Namely, that mothers bear sole responsibility for child welfare. This image reinforces gendered expectations and limits outcomes for families.
The Statistics
A Community Care poll shows that 77% of social workers report feeling unprepared to effectively engage with fathers. Leading academic Brid Featherstone echoes this sentiment, emphasising the critical need for improved training and resources. Featherstone points out that the child protection system tends to sideline men. It focuses overwhelmingly on mothers.
This gendered dynamic results in fathers being excluded from critical family discussions. This dynamic places an unfair burden on women to comply with safety plans. Featherstone explains that “it’s easier to engage a woman” because they are often the primary caregivers visible to practitioners. This imbalance can inadvertently lead to the neglect of fathers’ roles in child development and their potential for positive influence, particularly in the context of domestic abuse and child protection services.
A Whole-System Approach to Include Fathers
Featherstone’s research also calls for a more holistic, “whole-system approach” to child protection that actively includes fathers. Such an approach, she argues, should be supported by targeted training, supervision, and resources that enable social workers to manage their fears and uncertainties about engaging with men. This shift is essential for fostering an environment where both parents are held equally responsible for the welfare of their children.
Gary Clapton supports this notion by discussing the positive impact of fathers’ involvement in children’s lives. Father involvement has been linked to:
- improved outcomes in education
- social behaviour,
- emotional well-being
For instance, fathers engaged in their children’s early education are associated with better school readiness and higher academic achievement (Jeynes, 2015). Furthermore, the presence of a nurturing father figure reduces the risks of antisocial behaviour. The risk of future criminal involvement, particularly among adolescent boys, is also reduced (Lewis & Lamb, 2007).
The Impact of Traditional Social Work
However, despite the growing body of evidence supporting the importance of fathers, traditional social work practices continue to marginalise them. Clapton notes that services often view mothers as the primary caregivers, with fathers being perceived as secondary or peripheral to the family dynamic. This gendered bias not only limits father involvement but also perpetuates outdated societal norms about masculinity and caregiving.
For instance, Clapton observes that health services and schools remain largely “mother-facing,” with male caregivers frequently excluded from key communications and decision-making processes. He cites examples of fathers being often seen as bystanders rather than active participants in parenting.
The persistence of these traditional views reflects the broader societal struggle to integrate men into caregiving roles fully. Fathers, even those who are willing and capable, often face significant barriers to accessing the support they need. Clapton’s research points to the need for more targeted interventions that specifically address fathers’ needs, from improved communication in schools and nurseries to greater representation in child protection meetings.
We Need Fathers
Moreover, involving fathers can have wide-reaching benefits not only for children but also for mothers. Ferguson and Hogan (2004) found that when men are actively engaged in parenting, it leads to better outcomes for women, particularly in reducing parenting stress and enhancing emotional support. This underscores the need to challenge the notion that mothers are solely responsible for child welfare, particularly in the context of social work intervention.
The relationship between social work and father engagement remains fraught with challenges rooted in gendered expectations. Brid Featherstone and Gary Clapton’s research offers a compelling case for a systemic overhaul of fathers’ views and engagement within social services.
Taking Action
Social workers can foster better outcomes for children, mothers, and fathers by shifting towards a more inclusive, whole-family approach. However, to address the field’s current gender imbalances, robust investment in training, resources, and policy reform will be required.
Direct engagement with fathers is not only beneficial but necessary in the modern context of social work. Featherstone rightly argues that “better engagement with boys and men is critical to improving safety for women and girls.” This shift will ultimately require a recalibration of social work’s focus, from a mother-centric model to one that fully recognises fathers’ valuable role in their children’s lives.
Our ethos and approaches at ACCA do not marginalise fathers from family life. Our ISWs have at least eight years of experience, and our quality assurance processes ensure that our team shares this approach and value.
