--- title: How to Address the Biggest Barrier to Dads' Involvement description: Read Christopher A. Brown's newest post on how to address the biggest barrier to dads' involvement... image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/barrier.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/biggest-barrier-to-dads-involvement#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [NFI-Specific Programs & Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/nfi-specific-programs-resources) # How to Address the Biggest Barrier to Dads' Involvement 2 min read ![Christopher A. Brown](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/chris_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=chris_circle_icon.png) [** Christopher A. Brown ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/christopher-a-brown) Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts. Dads say the biggest barrier to being involved with their child is a poor relationship with their child's mom.  That's according to a 2015 report that is part of an [ongoing study](https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/pact_qualitative_report_6_17_2015_b508_3.pdf) of federally-funded responsible fatherhood and healthy marriage programs called the Parents and Children Together (PACT) evaluation. This portion of the PACT study interviewed low-income dads from four programs in different parts of the country. ![barrier.jpg](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/barrier.jpg?width=452&height=304&name=barrier.jpg) **A poor relationship leads to a specific kind of behavior on the part of moms: gatekeeping.** As the authors of the report note, "A byproduct of these contentious relationships was gatekeeping by the children’s mothers, which according to the fathers often limited access to their children and made it hard for them to be the kind of fathers they wanted to be." That's why working with moms to address gatekeeping is one of the primary ways staff can increase dads' involvement in their child's life. Unfortunately, staff often overlook it or are concerned that addressing it would send the wrong message to moms--that somehow moms are part of the problem. Fortunately, National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI) offers [programs and resources for moms](https://store.fatherhood.org/moms-involving-dads/) that address gatekeeping in a thoughtful, compassionate, effective manner. Indeed, an evaluation by Temple University of the eight-week [Understanding Dad™](https://store.fatherhood.org/understanding-dad-an-awareness-program-for-moms/) program--our signature program for moms--showed that it improved moms' pro-relationship knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding mother-father relationships. Facilitators report that the structure of the curriculum makes Understanding Dad™ effective because it provides moms with the opportunity for introspection before it challenges them to question the extent of their gatekeeping. This structure makes it easier for facilitators to help moms become better co-parents because it shows compassion for moms' feelings and attitudes first. As a result, moms are more open to considering their role in restricting the access of the involvement of their child's dad.  I encourage you to take a closer look at the NFI resources that will help your organization more effectively address this barrier. **What do the dads you work with say is the primary barrier to their involvement in their child's life?** **Have you taken a close look at everything NFI offers to address moms' gatekeeping behavior and raise their awareness about how vital dad is to their child's well-being?** **Are you a dad looking for help? Please visit our [Fatherhood Program Locator™](https://www.fatherhood.org/fathersource-locator) and enter your city and state on the map to find programs and resources in your community.** Date Published: 08/02/2016 Last Updated: 03/31/2026 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/key-to-dads-establishing-paternity) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/ffcu-2016) ## Related Articles ### [Five Leadership Practices That Build Father-Inclusive Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Creating a father-inclusive organization doesn't happen through a new but isolated fatherhood program, staff training on how to include fathers, or ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/five-leadership-practices-that-build-father-inclusive-organizations) ### [Beyond Graduation: Keeping Fathers Connected Image created with GPT Image 2. Many organizations do a good job recruiting fathers and helping them complete a fatherhood program. But what happens after the program ends? How do ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/beyond-graduation-keeping-fathers-connected) ### [Funding A Father-Inclusive Effort For Non-Governmental Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) struggle to identify funding sources for fatherhood initiatives and programs. After all, beyond the ... 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