Identifying, Locating, Contacting, and Engaging Nonresident Fathers of Children in Foster Care

In the past, fathers have been largely absent from the research and writings on child welfare. In 1990, two researchers reviewed five major journals where studies and theoretical writings related to child abuse and neglect were commonly published. While fathers are still not as visible as mothers in the literature, they are no longer absent. While this was a significant gain, the authors of this study concluded that fathers are still under represented in family research compared to mothers.

Thoennes, N., Harper, C., Folaron, G., Malm, K., McLaughlin, O., Bai, J., & Kaunelis, R. (2012). Identifying, Locating, Contacting, and Engaging Nonresident Fathers of Children in Foster Care. National Association of Social Workers, Issue 2, Spring 2012.