Social workers’ recommendations on the non-custodial father’s visitation rights with his preschool children

Abstract

This study examines the variables that affect Israeli social workers’ recommendations to the courts on non-custodial fathers’ access to their preschool children. Analysis of 151 court reports written by social workers in central Israel shows that they award more limited visiting rights to fathers who are poorly educated, do not meet with them, and are in conflict with their spouses over money and property. The discussion focuses on the social workers’ inadvertent biases against men of a lower socio-economic level and offers practical suggestions for a more professional approach.