Fathers and the child welfare service: Self-conception and fathering practice

This paper is based on individual in-depth interviews with 15 men who have children with measures from the Norwegian child welfare services (CWS). The purpose of the interviews was to gain insight into their experience of... [ view full abstract ]

This paper is based on individual in-depth interviews with 15 men who have children with measures from the Norwegian child welfare services (CWS). The purpose of the interviews was to gain insight into their experience of fatherhood, the contact with the CWS, and factors influencing their self-conception as fathers.
The fathers’ relation to their own parents appears to be important; both in terms of what they emphasizes in their care of the children, and the importance they ascribe themselves as fathers. Their self-conception and fathering practice is based partly on their own fathers as negative role models; they are clear on what their own fathers did wrong and do not want the same negative and distanced relationship with their own children. Their mothers, however, were highlighted as important role models for several of the fathers. The relationships to their own mothers also seemed to affect the importance they attached to themselves as fathers. Most fathers highlighted their own mother as their most important caregiver, and they transferred this to their own families and understanding of themselves as fathers.
The informants position themselves as fathers by distancing themselves from what they understand as female characteristics, and as “typical” of mothers. They emphasise that they as fathers have some special characteristics that mothers do not have to the same degree. Through an emphasis on activities and boundaries, they construct themselves as different to mothers.
Experiences of not being assessed as worthy caregivers also has an impact on their self-conception, and it affects their involvement with the CWS and in their child’s life. If fathers are uncertain of their role and importance for their children, while being faced with the CWS’ understanding of mothers as primary caregivers, this can cause them to pull away from their contact with the CWS and the child. There is a need for a greater degree of critical awareness and reflection regarding different understandings of fatherhood, how the CWS relate to gender roles in meetings with families, and how CWS involve fathers in their work. Some of the fathers in this study are uncertain about their role and need to be made aware of their importance for the children. This is something the CWS should be aware of in their work with families. A number of fathers in this study did not feel involved in the CWS’ work with the child. When the CWS fail to involve fathers, they might be missing out on important information about the child's situation and a potential resource for the child. The CWS' main task is to ensure that children and adolescents who live in conditions that can harm their health and development receive the necessary help and care at the right time. This means that the CWS should examine the child's overall care situation to identify matters that may negatively affect their care situation, and potential resources that can help ensure that they receive the necessary care. If assessments fail to consider how both parents can affect children's care situations, it is difficult to see that the child’s best interests are safeguarded.