The Unique Contribution of Attachment Theory in Understanding the Role of Nonoffending Fathers in the Care of Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused: A Historical Lens

• Published in: Families in society Vol. 100; no. 4; pp. 381 - 391
• Main Author: Crocetto, Johanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.10.2019; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Attachment; Attachment theory; Child care services; Child sexual abuse; Children; Day care; Family roles; Fathers; Gender roles; Victims; subjects of practice; abuse/neglect/violence; family systems and functioning; theory/conceptual models applied to practice; clinical practice; modes of practice; child welfare; parenting/motherhood/fatherhood; caregiving
• ISSN: 1044-3894; 1945-1350
• DOI: 10.1177/1044389419852022

Changing gender roles and caretaking roles in the family have resulted in increased father involvement in the day-to-day care of their children. As a result, there is a need to better understand the nature of father–child relationships within the context of multiple circumstances. One specific example is the role of nonoffending fathers in the care of children after child sexual abuse disclosure. This article first reviews how the attachment theory has evolved to include fathers and then reviews the unique contribution of paternal attachment to the care of child victims of sexual abuse. Implications for practice include enhanced engagement and intervention strategies that incorporate fathers effectively in services, better utilizing fathers as allies in the care of their children.