Contact Fathers’ Loss of School Involvement⋆

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore contact fathers’ involvement in their children’s schooling. Twenty fathers were interviewed and data analysis sought to describe and interpret common patterns and themes. Four key findings emerged from the study: (a) all fathers who participated expressed a strong desire for school involvement, and believed they had a responsibility to be involved; (b) the majority of fathers were not currently involved; (c) the majority of fathers reported that they were prevented from or obstructed in their efforts to become involved; and (d) fathers reported that the loss of their children was the major consequence of separation and divorce and that this sense of loss extended to loss of involvement in their children’s schooling. The findings from this study will be of relevance to practitioners and policymakers in law, education, and mental health in developing policies consistent with changes to Commonwealth Family Law. Research at a wider level is recommended with a view to reducing the sense of marginalisation often felt by contact fathers.

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