“How Engaging Fathers in Social Work Intervention Impacts on the Well Being of Children.”
Literature Review 2013
“How engaging fathers in social work intervention impacts on the well being of children.”
Abstract
This literature review examines the relationship between social work professionals and families in relation to the role of the father, step father or partner, including the impact of their involvement on mothers and the development of children within the family in child protection cases of domestic abuse, substance abuse and sexual abuse. Findings in the literature are that social work professionals tend to focus on the mother rather than the father, the mother often being held culpable for the well being of the child while the father is overlooked in assessment. Main discussion points are individual professional values, and the reasons why professionals may choose to avoid the perpetrator rather than to involve him in assessments to achieve outcomes in the best interests of the child, which reveal constructions of stereotypes and gender discrimination that influence practice. The involvement of young fathers pre-natally and the role of Sure Start children’s centres in engaging young fathers with dads’ only activities are found to be key resources in the community for parenting skills, and absent father’s in prison are shown to have a positive contribution to children’s well being despite assumptions to the contrary and the restrictions of prison. Attachment theory of children to significant figures and role models and resilience is deliberated as are positive ways in which to engage and intervene with fathers that will result in better social outcomes for the child in education, peer relationships and their own self esteem and attitudes are acknowledged. Mothers with positive partner support were also found to be less punitive towards their children and suffer less from low self esteem and poor mental health issues.
Introduction
This literature review looks at how the inclusion or exclusion of fathers by professionals in social
“How engaging fathers in social work intervention impacts on the well being of children.”
Abstract
This literature review examines the relationship between social work professionals and families in relation to the role of the father, step father or partner, including the impact of their involvement on mothers and the development of children within the family in child protection cases of domestic abuse, substance abuse and sexual abuse. Findings in the literature are that social work professionals tend to focus on the mother rather than the father, the mother often being held culpable for the well being of the child while the father is overlooked in assessment. Main discussion points are individual professional values, and the reasons why professionals may choose to avoid the perpetrator rather than to involve him in assessments to achieve outcomes in the best interests of the child, which reveal constructions of stereotypes and gender discrimination that influence practice. The involvement of young fathers pre-natally and the role of Sure Start children’s centres in engaging young fathers with dads’ only activities are found to be key resources in the community for parenting skills, and absent father’s in prison are shown to have a positive contribution to children’s well being despite assumptions to the contrary and the restrictions of prison. Attachment theory of children to significant figures and role models and resilience is deliberated as are positive ways in which to engage and intervene with fathers that will result in better social outcomes for the child in education, peer relationships and their own self esteem and attitudes are acknowledged. Mothers with positive partner support were also found to be less punitive towards their children and suffer less from low self esteem and poor mental health issues.
Introduction
This literature review looks at how the inclusion or exclusion of fathers by professionals in social
Bibliography: Talking Point (2010) ‘Every Child Matters’ Talking Point.Org [Online] http://www.talkingpoint.org.uk/en/SLTs/Themes/Educational%20contexts/Every%20Child%20Matters.aspx [Accessed 14/02/13].