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Lost Dads: The Fathers and Family Breakdown, Separation, and Divorce...
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Lost Dads: The Fathers and Family Breakdown, Separation, and Divorce Project

A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760). This special issue belongs to the section "Family Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 3505

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ben Hine

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Human and Social Sciences, University of West London, St. Mary’s Road, London W5 5RF, UK
Interests: fatherhood; separation; divorce; family breakdown; abuse; suicide; co-parenting; family court

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The central purpose of this Special Issue is to present a range of research from The Lost Dads Project.

This project explored the nature, context, and impact of family breakdown, separation, and divorce (FBSD) on fathers and their children, particularly in terms of mental health and suicide. Additionally, it probes the experiences and challenges associated with supporting fathers experiencing FBSD (https://drbenhine.co.uk/fbsd-project/).

This project utilised a quantitative client case review, a qualitative survey and interviews with fathers, and a deliberative inquiry with organisations supporting men to provide the most comprehensive examination of the experiences of separated fathers to date. This study brings together material and new research from over 1000 clients, 130 fathers and six organisations. The project was funded by the Woodward Charitable Trust.

Prof. Dr. Ben Hine
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Publisher’s Notice

As stated above, the central purpose of this Special Issue is to present research from the Lost Dads project. Given this purpose, the Guest Editors' contribution to this Special Issue may be greater than standard Special Issues published by MDPI. Further details on MDPI's Special Issue guidelines can be found here: https://www.mdpi.com/special_issues_guidelines. The Editorial Office and Editor-in-Chief of Social Sciences has approved this and MDPI's standard manuscript editorial processing procedure (https://www.mdpi.com/editorial_process) will be applied to all submissions. As per our standard procedure, Guest Editors are excluded from participating in the editorial process for their submission and/or for submissions from persons with whom a potential conflict of interest may exist. More details on MDPI’s Conflict of Interest policy for reviewers and editors can be found here: https://www.mdpi.com/ethics#_bookmark22.

Keywords

  • fatherhood
  • separation
  • divorce
  • family breakdown
  • abuse
  • suicide
  • co-parenting
  • family court

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 272 KiB  
Article
Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating Behaviours
by Benjamin Hine, Eilish Mairi Roy, Ching-Yu Huang and Elizabeth Bates
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14010031 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1772
Abstract
Background: Family breakdown, separation, and divorce (FBSD) are often traumatic events, particularly for fathers who face unique challenges. These include emotional, psychological, and financial struggles, often exacerbated by abusive behaviours from ex-partners. This study explores fathers’ experiences of FBSD, focusing on both the [...] Read more.
Background: Family breakdown, separation, and divorce (FBSD) are often traumatic events, particularly for fathers who face unique challenges. These include emotional, psychological, and financial struggles, often exacerbated by abusive behaviours from ex-partners. This study explores fathers’ experiences of FBSD, focusing on both the breakdown event itself and any abuse, including coercive control and parental alienation, before and after the separation. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey of 141 men and follow-up interviews with 30 participants. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes related to FBSD and associated abuse. Results: Fathers reported significant emotional, psychological, and financial distress, with many experiencing ongoing abuse and coercive control after separation. Abuse often continued through legal processes and manipulation of child access. Parental alienation emerged as a prominent form of post-separation abuse, with fathers describing attempts by ex-partners to undermine their relationships with their children. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for gender-inclusive services that address the specific challenges fathers face during and after FBSD, particularly in relation to post-separation abuse. Targeted interventions are necessary to support fathers’ well-being and ensure their continued involvement in their children’s lives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lost Dads: The Fathers and Family Breakdown, Separation, and Divorce Project)
18 pages, 274 KiB  
Article
Fathers’ Experiences of Negotiating Co-Parenting Arrangements and Family Court
by Benjamin Hine, Eilish Mairi Roy, Ching-Yu Huang and Elizabeth Bates
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14010029 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 493
Abstract
Background: this study builds on existing research on fathers’ experiences of family breakdown, separation, and post-separation abuse, exploring the systemic challenges they face in negotiating co-parenting arrangements. Methods: using data from a survey of 141 fathers and interviews with 30 participants, we examined [...] Read more.
Background: this study builds on existing research on fathers’ experiences of family breakdown, separation, and post-separation abuse, exploring the systemic challenges they face in negotiating co-parenting arrangements. Methods: using data from a survey of 141 fathers and interviews with 30 participants, we examined the dynamics of post-separation co-parenting, particularly focusing on how fathers perceive and navigate family court systems. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes. Results: the findings highlighted two primary themes: the difficulties that fathers face in establishing equitable co-parenting arrangements and their negative experiences with family courts, including perceptions of gender bias and systemic inefficiency. Conclusions: the results indicate a need for greater support mechanisms post-separation to facilitate healthier co-parenting relationships and minimise reliance on adversarial court processes. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of addressing gender stereotypes within family law and social services to ensure more just outcomes for fathers and their children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lost Dads: The Fathers and Family Breakdown, Separation, and Divorce Project)
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