Eassessing Fatherhood

Reassessing Fatherhood

Much recent literature on fathers conveys the optimistic message that men are becoming increasingly involved in family life and that such participation is necessarily beneficial. This book contends that evidence for the new father' is, in reality, hard to find and that the paternal role persists in being limited by social, institutional and personal forces. The book's contributors, psychologists and sociologists from Britain, Australia, Scandanavia and North America, examine the problematic nature of fatherhood from three different perspectives. Part One examines research evidence from studies of fathers in typical' families. Chapters look at the history of paternal roles, the employment of both fathers and mothers and men's involvement with other members of the family; all share the thesis that, given contemporary ideologies, fathering is necessarily limited. Part Two critically reviews research on men who -- encouraged by enlightened' social policy makers -- have attempted to become more involved in child care and domestic responsibilities. The contributors point out the contradictions between the expectations of the policy makers and the realities of family life: greater involvement in the home by men usually causes stress and difficulties for other members, particularly mothers. Part Three considers the position of men in therapeutic settings, where the father is often seen as a passive, opaque figure with whom it is difficult to work, and offers sound advice on how family workers can incorporate men into counselling, social work and therapy. Two chapters also investigate the role that custody arrangements play in the divorced father's life. ReassessingFatherhood provides a fresh -- and often provocative -- view of the modern father that will change the complacent and euphoric vision of the new family'.

Assessing Culturally Informed Parenting in Social Work

This book explores how social workers incorporate issues of culture when evaluating the parenting competence of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) parents and highlights the gap in how social workers assess safe parenting in BAME families. Drawing on a study that combined a phenomenological research philosophy with frame analysis, the book explores how culturally informed parenting is construed by social workers and BAME parents. It argues that effective assessment of the parenting competence of BAME parents is predicated on understanding how culture frames perspectives of what constitutes competent parenting. Throughout the eight chapters, the book moves the debate within the literature away from the universality of parenting concepts to a focus on a deeper understanding of culture. It highlights the influence that culture has on the way that BAME parents socialise their children, as well as how parents and social workers conceptualise safe parenting. The result is useful insights into the cultural context of parenting. The book will be of interest to all scholars and students of social work, childhood studies, sociology, and social policy, as well as social work professionals more broadly.

Assessing Motivation for Parenthood