The institutional web: Fathers of color navigating child welfare and intersecting systems

Harty, Justin S.; Walsh, Tova B.; Lee, Shawna J.; Charles, Pajarita; Pate, David

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The institutional web: Fathers of color navigating child welfare and intersecting systems

Journal articles · Child Welfare, 2025

2025

Journal articles

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Harty, J. S., Walsh, T. B., Lee, S. J., Charles, P., & Pate, D. The institutional web: Fathers of color navigating child welfare and intersecting systems. Child Welfare, 102(5), 185–212.

Child welfare and systems Fathers and fatherhood

Journal Google Scholar

@article{harty2025c,
  title = {The Institutional Web: {Fathers} of Color Navigating Child Welfare and Intersecting Systems},
  author = {Harty, Justin S.} and Walsh, Tova B. and Lee, Shawna J. and Charles, Pajarita and Pate, David},
  date = {2025},
  journaltitle = {Child Welfare},
  volume = {102},
  number = {5},
  pages = {185--212},
  url = {https://www.jstor.org/stable/48815030},
}

Abstract

This scoping review examines the challenges fathers of color face at the intersections of the child welfare system and family support, child support, and criminal justice systems. By reviewing literature from 2008 to 2023, significant gaps were identified in how these systems impact these fathers. The study highlights the need for expanded empirical research, culturally competent interventions, and policy reforms to address systemic inequities and improve outcomes for fathers and their families.