Between an outdated ideal and imposed norms : A solidified representation of fatherhood into a french mutating society. What representation of fatherhood in a social institution such as the EAOE ?

The 1970 law changes paternal authority into parental authority. Since the adoption of the International Convention on Children's Rights by France in 1989, this authority can be shared with any legal representative. These... [ view full abstract ]

The 1970 law changes paternal authority into parental authority. Since the adoption of the International Convention on Children's Rights by France in 1989, this authority can be shared with any legal representative. These legislative developments have generated a change in the role of the father and lead us to ask ourselves, what position is now given to the father when the environment in which the child is brought up is seen as failing or abusive?
This research shows that in France the position of fathers in social institutions working with abused children, is still based on past representations of the absent father or the deprival of education, which has an impact on the abused children.
This is put into context by looking at the historical background of the legal evolution of the role of fathers. A population-based study, conducted in 2015, with 796 children in a service judicial measured the educational assistance in an open environment ; it was noted that fathers are abusive towards their children.
76% of parents are separated. When children are raised by single parents, 33.7% are raised by their mother and 3.92% by their father. If 83.02% of mothers maintain regular contact with their children, more than half of the fathers (55.87%) also maintain contact.
This study shows that the representations of fathers in institutions are confined to abandonment or violent positions, which are no longer reflective of today's reality. This results in a lesser presence of fathers with children and in institutions. Two reasons seem to generate this. 1) A narcissistic flaw in fathers related to legal and social disintegration of the image and the father's recognition. 2) The many changes in the father's place in society and the family generate losses of benchmarks for institutions, then difficulties in working with both children's parents.