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Connecting father absence and mother blame in child welfare policies and practice

Author

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  • Strega, Susan
  • Fleet, Claire
  • Brown, Leslie
  • Dominelli, Lena
  • Callahan, Marilyn
  • Walmsley, Christopher

Abstract

This paper reports the results of research about fathers and child welfare conducted in a mid-size Canadian city. The overall study uses a variety of modalities to assess the current state of child welfare policy, practice and discourse with fathers of children who come to the attention of child protection authorities, with particular attention to fathers of the children of mothers who were adolescent at the time of at least one child's birth. Our research includes birth/biological fathers, stepfathers and men providing emotional, financial or social support to a child or children. This paper reports on the first phase of the study, in which we reviewed a random sample of child protection case files utilising both quantitative and qualitative methods. Our analysis and discussion is informed by a review of recent child welfare literature related to fathers and by related research team members have completed or are currently engaged in, including studies about young mothers in care, kinship care, risk assessment, failure to protect and the narratives of child welfare workers. Our intention is to contribute to reframing child welfare practice, policy and discourse in ways that are more inclusive of fathers and less blaming of mothers.

Suggested Citation

  • Strega, Susan & Fleet, Claire & Brown, Leslie & Dominelli, Lena & Callahan, Marilyn & Walmsley, Christopher, 2008. "Connecting father absence and mother blame in child welfare policies and practice," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(7), pages 705-716, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:30:y:2008:i:7:p:705-716
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thompson, Stacy D. & Jasper Crase, Sedahlia, 2004. "Fathers of infants born to adolescent mothers: a comparison with non-parenting male peers and adolescent mothers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 489-505, May.
    2. Hartley, Carolyn C., 2004. "Severe domestic violence and child maltreatment: considering child physical abuse, neglect, and failure to protect," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 373-392, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Reif, Katherine & Jaffe, Peter & Dawson, Myrna & Straatman, Anna-Lee, 2020. "Provision of specialized services for children exposed to domestic violence: Barriers encountered in Violence Against Women (VAW) services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    2. Wood, S. & Scourfield, J. & Stabler, L. & Addis, S. & Wilkins, D. & Forrester, D. & Brand, S.L., 2022. "How might changes to family income affect the likelihood of children being in out-of-home care? Evidence from a realist and qualitative rapid evidence assessment of interventions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    3. Hughes, Judy & Chau, Shirley & Poff, Deborah C., 2011. ""They're not my favourite people": What mothers who have experienced intimate partner violence say about involvement in the child protection system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1084-1089, July.
    4. Zanoni, Lee & Warburton, Wayne & Bussey, Kay & McMaugh, Anne, 2013. "Fathers as ‘core business’ in child welfare practice and research: An interdisciplinary review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 1055-1070.
    5. Jenney, Angelique & Mishna, Faye & Alaggia, Ramona & Scott, Katreena, 2014. "Doing the right thing? (Re) Considering risk assessment and safety planning in child protection work with domestic violence cases," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P1), pages 92-101.
    6. Ayer, Lynsay & Kohl, Patricia & Malsberger, Rosalie & Burgette, Lane, 2016. "The impact of fathers on maltreated youths' mental health," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 16-20.
    7. McWey, Lenore M. & Cui, Ming, 2021. "More contact with biological parents predicts shorter length of time in out of home care and mental health of youth in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    8. Fortuna Procentese & Roberto Fasanelli & Stefania Carnevale & Ciro Esposito & Noemi Pisapia & Caterina Arcidiacono & Immacolata Di Napoli, 2020. "Downside: The Perpetrator of Violence in the Representations of Social and Health Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-26, September.
    9. Wells, Kathleen & Marcenko, Maureen O., 2011. "Introduction to the Special Issue: Mothers of children in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 419-423, March.
    10. Wells, Kathleen, 2011. "A narrative analysis of one mother's story of child custody loss and regain," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 439-447, March.
    11. Brewsaugh, Katrina & Masyn, Katherine E. & Salloum, Alison, 2018. "Child welfare workers' sexism and beliefs about father involvement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 132-144.
    12. Brewsaugh, Katrina & Strozier, Anne, 2016. "Fathers in child welfare: What do social work textbooks teach our students?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 34-41.
    13. Holt, Stephanie, 2016. "‘Quality’ contact post-separation/divorce: A review of the literature," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 92-99.
    14. Hughes, Judy & Chau, Shirley, 2013. "Making complex decisions: Child protection workers' practices and interventions with families experiencing intimate partner violence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 611-617.
    15. Milani, Luca & Grumi, Serena & Camisasca, Elena & Miragoli, Sarah & Traficante, Daniela & Di Blasio, Paola, 2020. "Familial risk and protective factors affecting CPS professionals’ child removal decision: A decision tree analysis study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).

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