In my 35 years as a social worker, I’ve had many unique experiences that have shaped my practice, but none more so than the time I spent living in China during the SARS epidemic. I left my job to travel, and while in China, I met my now-husband. He, along with his friends, opened my eyes to different parenting styles, particularly the role of fathers.

What struck me most in China was how physically involved dads were with their children. They carried their kids, co-slept, and embraced a more hands-on, attachment style of parenting. I also saw how integral grandparents were to children’s lives. These experiences expanded my understanding of family dynamics and the importance of both parents’ roles, especially fathers, in a child’s upbringing.

In our own family, my husband and I have raised our child together, 50/50. This deeply influenced my belief in the power of dads to positively impact children’s lives. While many of the challenges we face in social work involve confronting social issues like male violence, I have always held onto the belief that dads have enormous potential to change and play a pivotal role in their children’s development.

At times, I’ve had to challenge the negativity around men that can arise among my colleagues, standing up for the belief that fathers can be essential figures in a child’s life. Not in East Sussex, but in other places I’ve worked, this has required bravery to push back against ingrained assumptions. This perspective continues to be central to who I am as a social worker today, and I love working with dads, helping them connect with their children in meaningful ways.