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Working with fathers: The non-deficit perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Andrew King
Andrew King*
Affiliation:
Burnside, PO Box 6866, Parramatta, NSW 2150 Tel: 02 9768 6819, Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

One of the highlights of the 1990s has been the greater recognition of the role of fatherhood by government departments, media organisations and community services. However this apparent embrace of fathering also reveals an underlying tension. This paper reflects on Burnside’s extensive experience in developing father-valuing programs that support children and families within disadvantaged communities. As practitioners, the need for quick decision making may result in the resources which fathers (within separated or intact families) can offer being overlooked. Drawing on current USA research into non-deficit approaches to fathering, the paper recognises a variety of assumptions, which reduce the resources that fathers provide. Due to socialisation, Australian males often display a healthy dose of suspicion and mistrust of authority figures. Because of this, it is important for professionals to maximise the initial period of engagement when they have contact with a family. A variety of case studies are used to examine the challenge of engaging fathers in the process of strengthening family systems.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , 2000 , pp. 23 - 27
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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References

Burns, S. (1999) Artistry in Training, Woodslane Pty Ltd, Sydney.Google Scholar
Hawkins, A.J. & Dollahite, D.C. (Eds) (1997) Generative Fathering: Beyond Deficit Perspectives, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, California.Google Scholar
Russell, G., Barclay, L., Edgecombe, G., Donovan, J., Habib, G., Callaghan, H. & Pawson, Q. (1999) Fitting Fathers into Families: Men and the Fatherhood Role in Contemporary Australia, A Report for the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services, Canberra.Google Scholar