Father involvement, as specifically parent-led or engaged activities, is recognized and understood as distinctively broad in scope, but also rigid and historically prescribed by gendered social roles such the provider and protector roles. American fatherhood is rooted in masculine tropes that historically restricted men to narrowly circumscribed social roles and expected parental performance. All too frequently hegemonic masculinity stifles broad paternal engagement and ingenuity as well as children’s and families well-being. In addition, racial and ethnic bias and discrimination limits Black and other men of color’s ability and access to enact paternal expectations and obligations broadly shared by American civil society and the fathers themselves (Johnson & Johnson, under review). Interventions with these fathers and their families frame the empirical studies in this Special Issue of Research on Social Work Practice.

父亲的参与，作为特别由父母领导或参与的活动，被认为和理解的范围非常广泛，但也受到性别社会角色（例如提供者和保护者角色）的严格和历史规定。美国的父亲身份植根于男性化的比喻，历史上将男性限制在狭隘的社会角色和预期的父母表现上。霸道的男性气质常常扼杀广泛的父亲参与和独创性以及儿童和家庭的福祉。此外，种族和民族偏见和歧视限制了黑人和其他有色人种制定美国公民社会和父亲自己广泛分享的父亲期望和义务的能力和机会（强生公司，正在审查）。