Father Participation Research Articles

Utilization of paternity and parental leave in Italy: the parents’ perspective

Abstract Background In recent years, there has been a focus on the role of fathers in childcare within public debates and social policies. Maternity, paternity, and parental leaves are essential tools for active father involvement in family life. The study aims to describe the fathers and mothers’ perspective about the use of two types of leave (paternity and parental) by fathers. Methods As part of the European project 4E (Early, Equal, Engaged, Empathetic) PARENT (CERV-2022-DAPHNE No. 101095956), a cross-sectional study was carried out using an online questionnaire addressed to parents between August and December 2023. Results A total of 3,811 mothers and 720 fathers participated. Sixty percent of mothers and 57% of fathers came from the North, with the majority having a high level of education (74% and 58%, respectively). Seventy-three percent of fathers reported using paternity leave, with most cases from the public welfare system (59%). Overall, most of mothers (91%) and fathers (89%) do not consider the current duration of leave adequate nor do they agree with the traditional division of family roles. Additionally, 69% of mothers and 72% of fathers believe that fathers should have more leave, but also that mothers need more months for breastfeeding. The logistic model shows that for fathers: low education level (ORadj 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.86), living in the Center (ORadj 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.87) and Southern Italy (ORadj 0.32, 95% CI 0.15-0.64), and acceptance of traditional family role division (ORadj 0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.65) reduce the likelihood of using paternity leave. Similar results were observed in case of mothers’ responses. Furthermore, living in Southern Italy reduces the likelihood of using parental leave for both fathers (ORadj 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.69) and mothers (ORadj 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.92). Key messages • Maternity, paternity, and parental leaves are crucial for facilitating active father participation in family life. • It is important to implement inclusive policies that ensure equitable access to paternity and parental leave, thereby promoting active father involvement in childcare.

Participation of fathers and siblings in home rehabilitation programmes for children with neuro-developmental delay: a scoping review

BackgroundThe role of, and impact on, mothers caring for children with neuro-developmental delay (NDD) is well documented. However, the role of fathers and siblings in families of children with NDD remains significantly understudied, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There has been an increased call for holistic rehabilitation of children with NDD at the family level. This study aimed to explore the involvement of fathers and siblings in the home rehabilitation programmes of children with NDD.MethodsA scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Peters et al.'s methodology and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Articles were retrieved from PUBMED, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, PEDro, and Google Scholar. Reference lists of relevant studies were also manually searched.ResultsThirty research articles were identified. Father and sibling participation in home-based rehabilitation and caregiving is low in LMICs compared to high-income countries due to economic factors and cultural beliefs. Reduced participation stresses mothers and reduces developmental outcomes in children with NDD.ConclusionsThis review highlights the need for rehabilitation professionals to encourage father and sibling participation in caregiving for children with NDD in home rehabilitation programmes.

Influence of Fathers Participation in Parenting on the Learning Quality of 3-6-Year-Old Children

Learning quality is related to children's future academic achievement, and it is the first step for children to enter the learning hall. 3-6 years old is the stage of rapid development of children's learning quality, and the father's participation in parenting is an important part of children's family education, and it will also have an important impact on children's learning quality. Therefore, this study explores the relationship between father's participation in parenting and children's learning quality. The purpose of this study is to summarize the development characteristics and influencing factors of 3-6 years old children's learning quality, analyze the characteristics of father's participation in education and the influence on the development of 3-6 years old children's learning quality, and put forward educational suggestions, aiming to call for more fathers to participate in early childhood education with high quality and improve the quality of early childhood learning. According to the conclusion of the study, this paper puts forward some suggestions from three aspects of father, family, and society, aiming at giving fathers effective parenting guidance and promoting the improvement of children's learning quality.

The Phenomenon of Father Absence in Early Childhood Education

For preschool children in the early childhood stage, a complete family education plays an important role in their mental growth and the development of their abilities in various aspects. With the formation of ethical norms in the new era, family education puts higher demands on the participation of fathers, who, as a key member of the family, play an important role in the education of children. However, under the influence of traditional concepts, occupational pressure and insufficient self-knowledge of their roles, the phenomenon of Father Absence in children s family education is becoming more and more common, which has a certain degree of negative impact on children s growth and development and on the social and educational environment. This paper tries to analyze the phenomenon of Father Absence in preschool children s education and focuses on the Return of Father s Duty .

Discussion on father participation in preschool family education

In Chinese-style early childhood education, the father’s role in early childhood education is crucial. However, fatherless family education has become the norm and has attracted widespread attention from academic circles. Studies have shown that father involvement in children’s early growth stages plays a key role in their overall development. Parents’ differences in communication and interaction and their unique experiences are of great significance to children’s early social development and emotional well-being. They also have a profound impact on the growth of boys in shaping children’s gender cognition and identity. In modern Chinese society, the combination of traditional concepts and life pressure has caused many fathers to fail to fully participate in children’s education. This study aims to explore the importance of father involvement in early childhood, analyze the existing problems of father involvement in early childhood family education under the current domestic situation, and propose effective strategies to promote father involvement in early childhood family education.

Mothers’ evaluations of fathers’ contributions to raising children with autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurological condition which results in social skill deficits, communication difficulties, and restrictive and repetitive behaviour. The difficulties associated with parenting children with ASD have been studied extensively, mainly from the perspectives of mothers. The extent of involvement of fathers in the raising of children with ASD has received limited scholarly attention, especially in non-Western contexts such as the United Arab Emirates.ObjectivesThis study asked mothers to evaluate the involvement of fathers in the development of children with ASD.MethodsIn all, 240 mothers completed the Fathers’ Involvement in Development and Rehabilitation Scale, designed based on a review of literature on the construct of involvement, namely attitude, participation in training, and support domains. The data were subjected to computation of mean scores, multivariate analysis of variance, hierarchical regression, and moderation analyses.ResultsThe results suggested that fathers held positive attitudes and provided substantial support to their children with ASD. However, mothers were ambivalent regarding the participation of fathers in training to support the development of their children. Differences were also observed between participants according to marital status, location, child gender, and ASD severity.ConclusionRecommendations for targeted training for fathers and other study implications are discussed.

Child feeding practices and male involvement in child feeding among smallholder farming households in Uganda

Smallholder farmers continue to face food and nutrition insecurity. The timing, scope and effectiveness of interventions is influenced by decision-making and roles within households and communities, yet emphasis has majorly been placed on mothers. A cross-sectional study explored the child feeding practices and extent of the father’s participation in child feeding among 433 farming households with children aged 6-35 months from two rural and two peri-urban districts in Central Uganda. Diets consumed by children were inadequate with only 37% meeting the minimum dietary diversity. About 65% of fathers participated in decision-making over child feeding with 10% all the time and 24% only a few times. Additionally, 48% of fathers participated in actual child feeding, 2% all the time and 23% only a few times. Main reasons for the level of father participation included the presence or absence of money or food; concern or lack of concern over the child’s health; father’s physical availability; and whether child feeding is part of a father’s responsibility or not. Fathers who participated in decision-making regarding child feeding were more likely to participate in actual child feeding (r=0.6, P<0.01). There is an opportunity for active engagement of fathers in nutrition-related interventions to enhance their participation and support in decisions concerning child feeding and actual child feeding for enhanced child and household food and nutrition security.

Fathers' needs of breastfeeding support: Perspective of health nurses

PurposeTo explore the improvement of health education on father's participation in breastfeeding from the perspective of maternal and child health nurses. MethodsQualitative phenomenological research was used, and 15 maternal and child health nurses who provided breastfeeding support were invited. With semi-structured deep interviews and on-site recordings, data were analyzed through content analysis. ResultsFour main themes were extracted, including ‘cultivating fathers' awareness of participation in breastfeeding’, ‘collaboration of multiple disciplines to improve health education on breastfeeding for fathers in hospital’, ‘Simulated scenarios to develop fathers' skills in solving breastfeeding problems’, and ‘establishing a hospital-community interface network to improve breastfeeding continuation care after hospital discharge’. ConclusionsMedical and health care departments should attach importance to guidance on health education for fathers' breastfeeding participation, cultivate fathers' awareness of participation in breastfeeding, provide multi-disciplinary collaboration-based health education on breastfeeding for fathers from the prenatal period and improve post-discharge health education on breastfeeding. The additional education being suggested would contribute to fathers being able to play an important role in breastfeeding.

Early Childhood Care and Education Institutions’ Innovative Strategies to Boost Father Participation in Parent Classes

This research aims to elucidate the integrative strategies utilized by Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) managers in Kecamatan Bandung Kulon to foster fathers' participation in parent classes. Recognizing the pivotal role of fathers in early childhood development, yet acknowledging the barriers they face, this study sought to uncover the methods and strategies ECCE institutions employ. Through a qualitative case study method, interviews with five ECCE managers were conducted as the primary data collection technique. The data was subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns, challenges, and innovative strategies. Findings highlight a confluence of traditional engagements, such as parenting guidance sessions, coupled with innovative tactics like cultural events and flexible scheduling. However, despite these efforts, work-centric challenges and societal expectations remain formidable barriers. This study underscores the imperative for a comprehensive, adaptive, and localized approach in enhancing father involvement in ECCE, adding a valuable dimension to the discourse on inclusive early education.

“I always felt like I wasn't supposed to be there”. An international qualitative study of fathers’ engagement in family healthcare during transition to fatherhood

ObjectiveEngagement of fathers in family health services confers benefits for the health and wellbeing of the whole family. The childbirth continuum is traditionally considered a feminine event, however, commensurate with the changing paradigm of gender equity in family healthcare worldwide, the role of fathers is in transformation. The aim of the study is to explore father's perceptions and experiences of healthcare engagement during pregnancy and early infant care. DesignQualitative free-text questions were embedded in a large multi-country, cross-sectional survey, to explored fathers’ attendance, participation, and experience of health care during appointments with their pregnant partner and/or baby. Setting and participantsExpectant and new fathers were recruited through Prolific®, an international paid online survey platform. FindingsQualitative responses (n=889) were provided by fathers from 28 countries, with experiences of a range of contexts and models of care; 46.8% of whose partners were pregnant and 53.2% had given birth since 2020. The findings suggest that although most fathers wanted to attend and participate in maternity and early parenting-related healthcare, multiple barriers were identified at the individual father, organisational context, and societal levels. Fathers reported negative social factors such as gender bias and restrictive gender norms as barriers to their healthcare engagement. In contrast, factors that enabled fathers to overcome barriers included the fathers’ feelings of confidence in their partner's autonomy and decision-making skills, trusted professional relationships with clinicians, and clinicians with good interpersonal skills. Key conclusionsMultiple barriers restrict the participation of fathers in healthcare for childbearing and early parenting. Knowledge of these barriers can inform healthcare redesign to include more successful engagement strategies for fathers, to benefit fathers, mothers, and infants alike. Implications for practiceHealth professionals consulting with the mother, father and infant triad are ideally placed to address the healthcare needs of both parents. Early engagement of fathers in family health care by use of inclusive interpersonal skills and the development of a trusted relationship has potential to improve paternal mental health, and may be associated with benefits for the health, wellbeing and safety of the whole family.

아버지의 훈육방식이 유아의 심리적 건강성과 또래 놀이 행동에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fathers' training method, children's psychological well-being, and peer play behavior, and to find out how fathers' training method affect children's psychological well-being and peer play behavior. To achieve these objectives, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and stepwise regression analysis were conducted using questionnaire data from 302 fathers of children aged 5-7 years old in daycare centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, and the results of the study were as follows. First, the relationship between fathers' training method, children's psychological well-being, and peer play behavior showed that fathers' coercive corporal punishment and neglectful training method were significantly and negatively related to children's psychological well-being and peer play behavior, and fathers' logical explanation training method were positively related to children's psychological well-being and peer play behavior. Second, when analyzing the effects of fathers' training method on children's psychological well-being and peer play behavior, it was predicted that fathers' coercive corporal punishment and neglectful training method had significant negative effects on children's psychological well-being, while logical explanation training method had significant positive effects on children's psychological well-being. Among fathers' training method, neglectful training method was predicted to have a significant negative effect on children's peer play behavior, and logical explanation training method was predicted to have a significant positive effect on children's peer play behavior. We hope that the results of this study will be used as an important guide for fathers' training method in order to promote positive effects on their children, who are the protagonists of the future due to the increasing participation of fathers in parenting at home and in society.

The validity and reliability study of the first-time fathers questionnaire in Turkish

The father's participation in the birth contributes significantly to the mother's birth experiences as well as to the fatherhood process. Since fathers have traditionally not been allowed to attend childbirth in Turkish public hospitals, which now is changing, there is a lack of research in this area. To remedy this shortcoming, a questionnaire that explores the Turkish fathers' experiences of childbirth is needed. The study aims to translate, validate, and adapt the pre-existing First-Time Fathers' Questionnaire to the Turkish language and culture. In the first stage of the study, the questionnaire was translated to Turkish. Expert opinions of the First Time Father Questionnaire were taken, and the content validity was checked. The revised questionnaire was then completed by 110 fathers. The average age of the fathers participating in the study was 32.12 ± 6.8 and 80 % of them were found to be middle class. The construct validity of the questionnaire was tested with explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, finally a test-retest was performed. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for each dimension of the 20-items questionnaire was as follows: knowledge = 0.90, acceptance = 0.90, anxiety = 0.88, and emotional support = 0.66. All sub-dimensions correspond to 68.5 % of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis model showed consistency for the data (X2/DF = 1.078; RMSA = 0.027; CFI = 0.992; GFI = 0.900; AGFI.0.829). Therefore, the adaptation of the First Time Fathers Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument in evaluating the childbirth experiences of first-time fathers in Turkish culture.

Factors assessed in the first year of a longitudinal study predict subsequent study visit compliance: the TEDDY study

BackgroundCompliance with a study protocol is central to meeting its research goals. In longitudinal research studies, data loss due to missed visits limit statistical power and introduce bias. The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study is a longitudinal multinational (US, Finland, Germany, and Sweden) investigation of children at risk for type 1 diabetes (T1D) that seeks to identify the environmental triggers of islet autoimmunity and T1D. The purpose of the current study was to identify sociodemographic variables and maternal characteristics assessed in the first year of TEDDY that were associated with study visit compliance in the subsequent 3 years.MethodsSociodemographic variables, maternal life-style behaviors, post-partum depression, maternal reactions to the child’s T1D risk, and study-related variables were collected at child-age 6 months and 15 months. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association of these variables to study visit compliance in the subsequent 3 years.ResultsStudy visit compliance was highest in Sweden (p > 0.001), in children who were their mother’s first child (p > 0.001), and whose mothers were older (p > 0.001) and more satisfied with the TEDDY study (p > 0.001). Father participation was also associated with better study visit compliance (p > 0.001). In contrast, children whose mothers smoked (p > 0.001), suffered from post-partum depression (p = 0.034), and were more anxious about their child’s T1D risk (p = 0.002), completed fewer visits. Father’s study satisfaction was also associated with study visit compliance (p = 0.029); however, it was not significant in models that included maternal study satisfaction.ConclusionsSociodemographic variables, maternal characteristics—including study satisfaction—and fathers’ participation in the first year of a longitudinal study were associated with subsequent study visit compliance in a sample of children genetically at-risk for T1D followed for 4 years. This information can inform future strategies designed to improve study visit compliance in longitudinal pediatric studies.Trial registration: NCT00279318, 06/09/2004.

아버지의 양육참여와 부모역할 신념, 가족친화제도, 어머니 문지기 행동의 관계

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of father's parental role beliefs, family-friendly policies of father's workplace, and mother's gatekeeping behavior felt by fathers on father's parenting participation. Methods A total of 308 fathers with children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old were surveyed. Father's par-ticipation in childrearing, parental role belief, family-friendly policies and mother's gatekeeping behavior were measured, and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 through Pearson's correlation analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. Results First, as a result of examining the difference in father's parenting participation according to the father's background variable, the total educational income was significant. Second, participation in parenting, parental role beliefs, and mother's gate-opening behavior showed a positive correlation, whereas gate-closing behavior showed a negative correlation. Finally, it was found that parental role beliefs, mother gate-opening behaviors, and implementation of family-friendly policies had a significant effect on father-parenting participation and it was found that parental role beliefs, mothers' gate-opening behaviors, and family-friendly policies had an effect in that order. Conclusions Father's personal beliefs, mother's gate-opening behavior and family-friendly policies are factors that positively promote father's participation in childrearing.

Sick child's feeding practices and associated factors among mothers with sick children aged less than 2 years in Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia. Does the participation of fathers contribute to improving nutrition? A facility-based cross-sectional study.

Children's nutritional status can decline rapidly during or after a common childhood illness unless additional nutritional requirements associated with the illness are considered. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing a sick child's feeding practices and associated factors among mothers who have sick children under 2 years of age in southern Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed from 1 April 2022 to 30 April 2022. Data were collected through the questionnaire, entered into an open data kit (ODK), and exported into Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 for analysis. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with sick child feeding practices. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to determine the strength of the association. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05. The overall magnitude of mothers' good sick child feeding practices was determined to be 45.0% (95% CI: 41.03, 48.97%). Being urban residents, being employed, having antenatal care (ANC) visits, having postnatal care (PNC) visits, counseling about child feeding, and fathers' involvement in sick child feeding increased the likelihood of sick child feeding practices by 4.4, 2.10, 2.31, 3.54, 2.11, and 2.54 times, respectively. Sick child feeding practices were associated with having antenatal or postnatal visits, counseling about child feeding, and fathers' involvement in sick child feeding practices. Therefore, strengthening infant and young child feeding practices by showing special concern for the father's involvement is important to improve mothers' sick child feeding practices.

Association of parents' work-related stress and children's socioemotional competency: Indirect effects of family mealtimes.

Family mealtimes play an important role in promoting the physical and psychological well-being of children. However, parents' work-related stress may impact their ability to participate in frequent family mealtimes. In dual-earner families, gendered norms may also influence parents' shared responsibility to participate in mealtimes with their children. Prior studies have primarily focused on the mother's role in feeding children, while the father's participation has been relatively unexplored. We used a sample of dual-earner families consisting of heterosexual married couples with children in the United States who participated in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort to investigate how stressors at work may affect the mother's and father's participation in family mealtimes and, in turn, related to the child's socioemotional development. We tested the associations between the mother's and father's work-related stress on the child's socioemotional competency from age two through preschool (age 4-5). We examined the direct and indirect effects of parents' work-related stress on child socioemotional competency through their involvement in mealtimes. The results indicate a negative direct association between the mother's job/financial dissatisfaction and the child's socioemotional competency. The father's job dissatisfaction had an adverse impact on children in terms of socioemotional competency, partially explained by the father participating less often in family mealtimes. Fathers' job/financial dissatisfaction had a negative influence on children's socioemotional competency, even with an increase in the mothers' participation in family mealtimes in the absence of the fathers. The findings emphasize the importance of fathers' involvement in mealtimes above and beyond mothers' involvement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

PERFORMANCE OF PATERNITY: experiences of men with autistic children in youtube videos

Paternity is perceived as a singular moment in a man's life. Being the father of one or more children with autism results in particular experiences and varied repercussions in families, which requires the reconfiguration of roles, models and expectations. Effective participation in the care of autistic children is challenging for men as well. Thus, the objective was to understand the performance of paternity, the participation in the care of children and the construction of male identity, through the experiences reported by participants in video recordings published on Youtube. This is qualitative research, with a descriptive-exploratory objective, having as procedure the translation of already existing visual information. The data collection was carried out in September 2022, by selecting free and open access videos. Twenty-three videos were analyzed, separated into two groups, the first composed of 14 spontaneous reports, and the second composed of 9 interviews. The data analysis was carried out by thematic content. The results indicated that the men shared their personal experiences to support other people experiencing the same situations and reported emotions and feelings, the process from diagnosis to acceptance, the mutual learning during the care of their children and the importance of support, including spiritual support. It was concluded that men associated the responsibility for the care of their children with the exercise of paternity and male identity and that social networks can help in the dissemination of information, in reducing prejudice and increasing the participation of fathers.

MTSS2-related neurodevelopmental disorder: Further delineation of the phenotype

MTSS2-related neurodevelopmental disorder (MTSS2-related NDD) (MIM 620086) is characterized by intellectual developmental disorder with ocular anomalies and distinctive facial features (IDDOF). The only existing report to date described five individuals who exhibited an identical de novo c.2011C>T (p.Arg671Trp) variant in the MTSS2 gene. Herein, we report a new case of MTSS2-related NND in a male dizygotic twin who presented with IDDOF and severe intellectual disability. This patient also displayed additional clinical features, including low functioning autism, hypothyroidism, duodenal obstruction secondary to Ladd's bands, inguinal hernias, cryptorchidism, transient subperiosteal new bone formation, and short stature with delayed bone age, which had not been previously reported in association with the MTSS2-related NDD. Exome sequencing identified the recurrent c.2011C>T (p.Arg671Trp) variant in the MTSS2 gene. The mother and the other twin tested negative for the pathogenic variant, while the father's participation in the study was unavailable. This case confirms that the MTSS2-related NDD is caused by the recurrent MTSS2 missense variant p.Arg671Trp. The novel findings identified in our patient expand the phenotypic spectrum associated with this new autosomal dominant entity, but further studies on its genetic and clinical manifestations are still needed.

The effect of father's participation in newborn care during hospitalization on survival and attendance at follow-up clinics in a tertiary care facility

BackgroundThe traditional role of a man has been to provide protection and economic support to their families. This study examines the role of men on duration of hospitalization, neonatal survival, and follow-up attendance at a tertiary institution, south-west Nigeria. MethodsThe study is a prospective cohort study involving fathers whose babies were admitted to a neonatal unit. We compared the fathers' provision of kangaroo mothers' care, financial support, readiness to stand in for mother and any other support with the outcomes of duration of hospital care, neonatal survival, and follow-up clinic attendance. We report adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of the outcome's variables. ResultsOne eighty-eight of the 201 selected had complete dataset. The median age of the babies at admission was 1 day (IQR: 1, 5; range 1-28-days). The overall median duration of hospitalization was 6 days (range 0.4–56) days. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of neonates who received father support at admission was shorter 5 days (IQR: 3, 7) compared to 7 days (IQR: 4, 11) for those who did not (p = 0.006). The survival rate and clinic attendance for preterms whose fathers provided KMC did not reach significant level(p = 0.201). The father's financial support significantly affected neonatal survival and follow-up clinic attendance (P = <0.001). The father's willingness to care for infant while the mother rests was associated with survival (p = 0.023). On multivariable logistic regression, infants whose fathers provided financial support had 27.8 (aOR: 27.778, 95% CI: 7.353–100.0) odds of survival and 6.155 (2.205–17.182) odds of clinic follow-up compared to those without. Other support from fathers was 20.8 (95% CI 4.587–100) times more likely to attend clinic follow-up. ConclusionsFather participation in newborn care significantly improves clinic follow-up attendance, shortens hospital stays, and improved newborn survival. Family-centered-father-focused newborn-care, are required in tertiary nurseries.

Single Moms, absent Dads: neglecting fathers and burdening mothers in social work practice with separated families

ABSTRACT The low participation of nonresident fathers in family- and child-oriented social work interventions is well documented, as are the adverse effects of their absence on the outcomes of these interventions and the welfare of their families. However, research on the reasons for this low participation tends to focus on the views and perceptions of social workers and fathers. We propose a systemic approach focusing on families rather than fathers, and institutional aspects of the welfare system, such as workplace culture and administrative barriers, rather than social workers' views. Using an institutional ethnography in six Israeli Departments of Social Services, we examined work procedures and routines with regard to separated families in Israel's social welfare and child protection system. Our findings show that social workers often fail to include nonresident fathers in their interventions with separated families. Using the theoretical framework of the mother-based intervention, we show how the organisation of services promotes a focus on mothers. These findings, we claim, have dire consequences for both fathers and mothers. Fathers are denied the opportunity to take an equal part in the lives of their children, while mothers are expected to bear the entire burden of the intervention's requirements.