Erasing Fathers from Policy Narratives

Public discourse and some progressive policy frames systematically omit or marginalize fathers when discussing poverty and family policy, producing interventions (cash transfers, single‑parent supports) that treat caregiving as mother‑centric and underinvest in policies that strengthen paternal attachment, employment, and inclusion. — If fathers are routinely written out of the policy story, programs meant to reduce child poverty risk reinforcing gendered family structures, missing avenues for improving child outcomes (father engagement, employment supports) and polarizing politics about welfare and family reform.