Stepfather involvement in social interventions made by youth protection services in stepfamilies

Abstract

A B S T R AC TDespite efforts made by management and caseworkers to promote active parental participation in the protective context, fathers or other male figures are often brushed aside from intervention. This paper presents the results of qualitative research on methods used by youth protection caseworkers (n = 22) working with stepfather families. The main objective is to identify items that encourage or discourage stepfather involvement in psychosocial interventions. Results showed that certain items do not apply solely to stepfathers, but influence youth protection caseworker decision-making from a broader perspective. Particular characteristics associated with being a stepfather significantly influence involvement practices espoused by caseworkers, notably the absence of legal status and biological connection with the mother's children.

Engaging fathers in child welfare services: a narrative review of recent research evidence

“…'s (2008) mixed‐method survey of 339 fathers and 1203 social service workers suggest that professionals need guidance on how to support mothers to manage the emotional nature of father involvement. A qualitative Canadian study of 22 caseworkers (Parent et al . 2007) found that more than half the caseworkers believed that the mother had the right to accept or refuse involvement from her partner.…”

Recomposition familiale, parentalité et beau-parentalité

“…D'une part, ces personnes peuvent jouer un rôle important au sein de la famille, mais, d'autre part, ne se voir reconnaître aucun droit ou légitimité d'intervenir dans les lieux NPS, vol. 25, n o 1 offrant des services aux familles tels l'école, les centres de santé, les services sociaux, les loisirs (Henry et McCue, 2009;Parent et Beaudry, 2002;Parent et Robitaille, 2011;Parent et al, 2007) puisque le statut juridique de la pluriparentalité, au Canada et au Québec, est encore très incomplet (Goubau, 2011).…”

Making fathers relevant: How practitioners include both parents in talk about parenting programmes

“…In a Canadian study, mothers reported withholding information about the father for reasons related to their safety from domestic violence or concern over loss of financial benefits, resulting in practitioners remaining unaware of his presence (Dominelli, Strega, Walmsley, Callahan, & Brown, ). Some practitioners have told researchers that they believe mothers have the right to determine whether the father should be involved in a service or not (Parent, Saint‐Jacques, Beaudry, & Robitaille, ). Given that practitioners are more likely to have first contact with the mother, asking questions about the involvement of the child's father might also be avoided because of concerns about risking the relationship they are building with the mother.…”