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Child welfare workers' sexism and beliefs about father involvement

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  • Brewsaugh, Katrina
  • Masyn, Katherine E.
  • Salloum, Alison

Abstract

Research over the last few decades has consistently found that fathers are not routinely included in the provision of child welfare services. The current study examined whether ambivalent sexism on the part of child welfare workers was related to their beliefs about involving fathers. Ambivalent sexism theory posits that gender stereotypes include subjectively positive beliefs in addition to hostile beliefs that both serve to perpetuate patriarchal systems. Participants (N = 490) were currently front-line child welfare workers in the United States who completed an online survey assessing ambivalent sexism and beliefs about father involvement in child welfare cases. Ambivalent sexism was assessed using the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory and the Ambivalence Toward Men Inventory. The Dakota Father Friendly Assessment was modified to assess beliefs about father involvement in child welfare. Latent class analysis was used to empirically derive four sexism profiles. Results indicated that participants with profiles suggesting less sexist beliefs had more positive attitudes about father involvement and had a lower preference for working solely with mothers. Sexism profile was not related to participants' stated father involvement behaviors such as conducting home visits when fathers are present, including fathers in case planning discussions, and recruiting fathers or paternal relatives as placement options. Implications for social work and child welfare practice include developing training that increases knowledge of fathers' importance and increases workers' comfort in providing services to men.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:89:y:2018:i:c:p:132-144
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.04.029
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Coakley, Tanya M., 2013. "The influence of father involvement on child welfare permanency outcomes: A secondary data analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 174-182.
    2. 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.
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    5. 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.
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    7. Malm, Karin E. & Zielewski, Erica H., 2009. "Nonresident father support and reunification outcomes for children in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 1010-1018, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Francine de Montigny & Christine Gervais & Danaë Larivière‐Bastien & Diane Dubeau, 2020. "Assessing the impacts of an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement on professionals’ practices with fathers: A qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5-6), pages 1003-1016, March.
    3. Burcher, Sarah A. & Corey, Liz A. & Mentzer, Kari McClure & Davis, Laurel & McNamee, Hannah & Horning, Melissa L. & Brown, Sarah Jane & Shlafer, Rebecca J., 2021. "Family home visiting and fathers: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    4. Gonzalez, Juan Carlos & Flores, Iliana & Tremblay, Madeleine & Barnett, Miya L., 2022. "Lay health workers engaging Latino fathers: A qualitative study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).

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