Citation

Brown L, Callahan M, Strega S, Walmsley C, Dominelli L. Child Fam. Soc. Work 2009; 14(1): 25-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1365-2206.2008.00578.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Fathers exist in the lives of women and children involved with child welfare authorities, and yet, they are rarely seen by child welfare. This invisibility exists whether or not fathers are deemed as risks or as assets to their families. Using an analysis of fundamental child welfare policies and practices and relevant literature, the paper examines how ‘ghost’ fathers are manufactured, and how this phenomenon affects families and professionals in child welfare. An analysis of gender, class, race and culture of child welfare discourses shows how these fathers are seen as deviant, dangerous, irresponsible and irrelevant, and even further, how absence in child welfare is inextricably linked to blaming mothers. In failing to work with fathers, child welfare ignores potential risks and assets for both mothers and children.