Where is Dad?

Fathers have been excused from involvement with their families because of traditional gender roles, which invite fathers to be more involved with work and somewhat less involved with the emotional well-being of his family. Family therapy is often no exception to fathers' lack of participation in the family. Family therapists, however, are calling for inclusion of fathers in family therapy. This is occurring because most therapists prefer to have as many family members involved in therapy as possible, and because the feminist movement has called for family therapists to reject the "status quo," in this case, lack of fathers involvement in family therapy. Lastly, there is some empirical evidence that fathers inclusion in therapy improves the outcome of family therapy. This paper is written in response to these changes, so that therapists may gain insight into ways they can involve fathers in family therapy.