This article examines contemporary child development literature on the subject of father involvement in their children’s education and upbringing, and associated life outcomes. The briefing identifies barriers that currently prevent fathers from being more substantively involved in their children’s education and lives These include traditional gender roles associated with parenting, work commitments of fathers, relationship dynamics within separated families, non-inclusive social work practices and inhibited participation in school activities because of socio-economic constraints. It similarly describes various measures that can be implemented to overcome these barriers or mitigate their effect, including engaging fathers in school and extra-curricular activities by availing of the services of specialist male/father-inclusive agencies and adopting ‘strength-based’ and ‘gender-differentiated’ approaches. These recommendations have been derived from notable ‘father inclusive’ interventions and pilot projects that have been successfully implemented in both Scotland and the UK more broadly. The findings gleaned from both the relevant child development literature and the noted interventions can inform People Know How’s own endeavours to increase father involvement in their children’s education.
