Abstract:This paper explores features of post‐separation co‐parenting from fathers' perspectives in men with and without a history of domestic violence (DV). Co‐parenting interview data from 20 fathers were randomly selected from a larger, longitudinal study (Fathers and Kids) conducted in Toronto, Canada, examining how domestically violent fathers impact children's development. Using thematic analysis, three themes were created for separated fathers without a history of DV: I value my ex‐partner's involvement with our… Show more
“…They may have a poor understanding of child development, and the tactics of abuse used against their partners often extend to children (Katz, ; Heward‐Belle, ). These tactics include undermining of the child's mother and her parenting (Thompson‐Walsh, Scott, Dyson, & Lishank, ).…”
An earlier article referred to the “absent presence” of the perpetrator in the lives of children and their mothers who have lived with domestic violence. It identified the ways in which the shadow of the perpetrator continued and was evidenced in the “symptoms of abuse” that both women and children experienced in spite of his absence. The current article argues that fathers who use violence are actually more present than absent in the lives of children (and women), even following separation. A mixed method approach surveyed men in Men's Behaviour Change Programs (N = 101), and interviewed women who had experienced violence (N = 50). The studies reported that the majority of men in both the quantitative men's study (80%) and the qualitative women's study (77%) had substantial contact with children. The women's interviews highlight the problematic fathering that many of their children experienced, both before and after separation. They reported very high levels of child abuse and poor attitudes to both women and children.
The article concludes that the family violence and child welfare systems are poorly configured to address fathers who use violence and continue to hold substantial parenting roles, including following separation.
“…They may have a poor understanding of child development, and the tactics of abuse used against their partners often extend to children (Katz, ; Heward‐Belle, ). These tactics include undermining of the child's mother and her parenting (Thompson‐Walsh, Scott, Dyson, & Lishank, ).…”
An earlier article referred to the “absent presence” of the perpetrator in the lives of children and their mothers who have lived with domestic violence. It identified the ways in which the shadow of the perpetrator continued and was evidenced in the “symptoms of abuse” that both women and children experienced in spite of his absence. The current article argues that fathers who use violence are actually more present than absent in the lives of children (and women), even following separation. A mixed method approach surveyed men in Men's Behaviour Change Programs (N = 101), and interviewed women who had experienced violence (N = 50). The studies reported that the majority of men in both the quantitative men's study (80%) and the qualitative women's study (77%) had substantial contact with children. The women's interviews highlight the problematic fathering that many of their children experienced, both before and after separation. They reported very high levels of child abuse and poor attitudes to both women and children.
The article concludes that the family violence and child welfare systems are poorly configured to address fathers who use violence and continue to hold substantial parenting roles, including following separation.
“…An inductive thematic analysis of the interview data found markedly different narratives across the two groups. Two themes dominated the violent fathers' narratives: ‘ my ex‐partner is a bad mother ’; and ‘ my ex‐partner is responsible for our difficulties co‐parenting ’, while those fathers in the community sample demonstrated three very different themes: ‘ I value my ex‐partner's involvement with our child ’; ‘ we're good as co‐parents ’; and ‘ how we co‐parent impacts our child ’ (Thompson‐Walsh et al ., , p. 137). These findings are consistent with previous studies and as the authors note, ‘DV fathers lacked insight into how their co‐parenting impacts their children which, in combination with high levels of denigration, sets the stage for children to have ongoing exposure to harmful, distressing and fear‐provoking co‐parenting interactions.’ (Thompson‐Walsh et al ., , p. 146).…”
Section: Post‐separation Co‐parentingmentioning
confidence: 97%
“…‘DV fathers lacked insight into how their co‐parenting impacts their children which, in combination with high levels of denigration, sets the stage for children to have ongoing exposure to harmful, distressing and fear‐provoking co‐parenting interactions.’ (Thompson‐Walsh et al ., , p. 146).…”
Section: Post‐separation Co‐parentingmentioning
confidence: 97%
“…The final full paper in this issue by Catherine Thompson‐Walsh and colleagues () from the University of Toronto, Canada, is a small but very interesting study examining the features of post‐separation co‐parenting from fathers' perspectives in men with and without a history of domestic violence (DV). Interview data from 20 fathers who were separated from their child's mother were randomly selected from the larger Toronto‐based ‘Fathers and Kids’ longitudinal study, investigating how violent factors impact on children's development.…”
Section: Post‐separation Co‐parentingmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Thompson‐Walsh et al . () conclude their paper by arguing that involving DV fathers in post‐separation parenting should be preceded by thorough assessment, which ‘should carefully query the nature of ongoing co‐parenting conflict as well as fathers' insight, or lack thereof, into the impact of past and ongoing behaviour on his children’ (p. 147). Indeed, Broady et al .…”
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