Page 159 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 159
Why (not to) ignore the role of fathers?
Insights from the European context
Mitja Stefancic
Univerza na Primorskem, Center za razvoj in prenos znanja, Čevljarska 27, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: In most European countries, the social structure has
changed substantially during the last decades. In several countries,
however, the role of fathers has not changed accordingly. The lack of
appropriate solutions for fathers in several European contexts and the
objective difficulties to recognize the role of fathers at an institutional
level is in the end penalising both their children and those mothers
that are looking for better opportunities and more visibility in the
contemporary job market. Such an issue is persistent in Italy, particularly
when parents separate or ask formally for child custody. Methods: The
aim of this contribution is to shed light on the need for enhancing an
appropriate recognition of the essential role of fathers’ involvement in
the life and education of children. To achieve this, the author provides
a literature review of the studies on this topic; on the other hand, some
relevant case studies are discussed. Discussion and conclusions: This
contribution finds that equal opportunities for fathers are still difficult
to achieve in practice in countries such as Italy. We are experiencing
a paradoxical situation: policies for a better recognition of women
in different aspects of social life including work are not matched by
appropriate 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 disadvantage. This should be
prevented.
Keywords: fathers’ involvement; child development; social change; ECHR;
case studies.
Introduction
Social structures in most European countries have changed with women en-
joying higher possibilities to access the university (as showed by gender dy-
Insights from the European context
Mitja Stefancic
Univerza na Primorskem, Center za razvoj in prenos znanja, Čevljarska 27, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: In most European countries, the social structure has
changed substantially during the last decades. In several countries,
however, the role of fathers has not changed accordingly. The lack of
appropriate solutions for fathers in several European contexts and the
objective difficulties to recognize the role of fathers at an institutional
level is in the end penalising both their children and those mothers
that are looking for better opportunities and more visibility in the
contemporary job market. Such an issue is persistent in Italy, particularly
when parents separate or ask formally for child custody. Methods: The
aim of this contribution is to shed light on the need for enhancing an
appropriate recognition of the essential role of fathers’ involvement in
the life and education of children. To achieve this, the author provides
a literature review of the studies on this topic; on the other hand, some
relevant case studies are discussed. Discussion and conclusions: This
contribution finds that equal opportunities for fathers are still difficult
to achieve in practice in countries such as Italy. We are experiencing
a paradoxical situation: policies for a better recognition of women
in different aspects of social life including work are not matched by
appropriate 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 disadvantage. This should be
prevented.
Keywords: fathers’ involvement; child development; social change; ECHR;
case studies.
Introduction
Social structures in most European countries have changed with women en-
joying higher possibilities to access the university (as showed by gender dy-
