How to Support Fathers and Families Raising Children with Disabilities

Abstract

Contemporary social work challenges in supporting families, particularly those raising children with disabilities, require a rethinking of the role of fathers in parenting and caring. This article provides an analysis of factors influencing fathers’ involvement in caring for children with special needs and explores their interactions with social service professionals. Attention is drawn to mechanisms that support fatherhood and reduce associated with the male role in the family, in the context of various socio-­cultural and psychological factors. Key principles and directions for working with fathers to enhance their participation in parenting and ensure family well-being are identified. The peculiarities of men’s psychology, which limit their constructive interaction with professionals, are discussed, and mechanisms for mitigating stereotypes about the father’s role in the family are identified. Special emphasis is placed not only on analyzing the problems, but also on seeking effective strategies for interaction with professionals and society as a whole. Based on the analysis presented, it is concluded that there is a need for broad societal support for fatherhood and for changing gender norms among professionals working with families. This article aims to stimulate further discussion on the role of fathers in the family context and to explore ways of optimizing social support for families raising children with special needs.