Page 177 - Petelin, Ana, et al. Eds. 2019. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 177
(not to) ignore the role of fathers? otrok in mladostnik – okolje | child and adolescent - environment
Insights from the European context
Mitja Stefancic
Univerza na Primorskem, Center za razvoj in prenos znanja, Čevljarska 27, 6000
Koper, Slovenia
In most European countries, the social structure has changed substantially dur-
ing the last decades. In several countries, however, the role of fathers has not
changed accordingly. The lack of appropriate solutions for fathers in several
contexts and the difficulties to recognize the role of fathers at an institution-
al level is penalising both their children and those mothers that are looking for
better opportunities and visibility in the job market. Such an issue is persistent
in Italy, particularly when parents separate or ask formally for child custody.
The aim of this contribution is to shed light on the need for enhancing an ap-
propriate recognition of the role of fathers' involvement in the life and educa-
tion of children. The author provides a literature review of the studies on this
topic; on the other hand, relevant case studies are discussed. Insights contained
in the present contribution should be of interest to policy makers in family and
health policies, social workers and experts in family law. The contribution finds
that equal opportunities for fathers are difficult to achieve in practice. We are
experiencing a paradoxical situation: policies for a better recognition of wom-
en in different aspects of social life including work are not matched by appro-
priate solutions for a better involvement of fathers in family life. Should the lack
of such solutions persist in the coming years, children would continue to be in
a position of severe disadvantage.
Keywords: fathers' involvement, child development, social change, case
studies
175
Insights from the European context
Mitja Stefancic
Univerza na Primorskem, Center za razvoj in prenos znanja, Čevljarska 27, 6000
Koper, Slovenia
In most European countries, the social structure has changed substantially dur-
ing the last decades. In several countries, however, the role of fathers has not
changed accordingly. The lack of appropriate solutions for fathers in several
contexts and the difficulties to recognize the role of fathers at an institution-
al level is penalising both their children and those mothers that are looking for
better opportunities and visibility in the job market. Such an issue is persistent
in Italy, particularly when parents separate or ask formally for child custody.
The aim of this contribution is to shed light on the need for enhancing an ap-
propriate recognition of the role of fathers' involvement in the life and educa-
tion of children. The author provides a literature review of the studies on this
topic; on the other hand, relevant case studies are discussed. Insights contained
in the present contribution should be of interest to policy makers in family and
health policies, social workers and experts in family law. The contribution finds
that equal opportunities for fathers are difficult to achieve in practice. We are
experiencing a paradoxical situation: policies for a better recognition of wom-
en in different aspects of social life including work are not matched by appro-
priate solutions for a better involvement of fathers in family life. Should the lack
of such solutions persist in the coming years, children would continue to be in
a position of severe disadvantage.
Keywords: fathers' involvement, child development, social change, case
studies
175
