Lewis, Jane (Jane E.) and Welsh, Elaine. (2005) Fathering practices in twenty-six intact families and the implications for child contact. International Journal of Law in Context, Vol.1 (No.1). pp. 81-99. ISSN 1744-5523

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Abstract

The nature of the contribution that fathers make to families is the subject of intense debate by both academics and policymakers. Contact between non-resident fathers and their children has been promoted by government and the courts, but remains difficult to achieve. This paper reports on interview data collected from fathers, mothers and their adolescent children in intact families on the perceptions of fathering practices and the factors that influence them. In addition, the nature and extent of fathers’ involvement with their children is explored in relation to the problem of ‘boundary setting’. While the traditional, rather distant, breadwinning father has disappeared, there is no evidence from this study of a shift towards the kind of father who takes equal day-to-day responsibility for his children. Rather, the changes in the nature of fathers’ involvement with their children are more subtle, relying to a large extent on an appreciation of the importance of ‘passive care’ and of mediation by mothers. We suggest that these findings have important implications for what might be expected by and of fathers when relationships break-up, and for the development of policies to encourage father involvement.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Fathers -- Great Britain, Parenting -- Great Britain, Joint custody of children, Parenting, Part-time, Sex role -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Law in Context
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	1744-5523
Date:	March 2005
Volume:	Vol.1
Number:	No.1
Page Range:	pp. 81-99
Identification Number:	10.1017/S1744552305001059
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Description:	This project is based on research funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Funder:	Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/734

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