ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the mediation from the father's perspective. It addresses the case of resident fathers and points to the need for further study of the utility of traditional concepts of 'mothering' in the area of sole male parenting. Establishing and maintaining contact between children and their non-resident parent, usually the father is thus a key objective for all those concerned with family court policy and practice. The concept of 'neutrality' is particularly helpful in exploring the meaning and perplexities of family mediation. When parents in the Essex study were asked if they had ever been treated unfairly during mediation, only 16 per cent replied in the affirmative and, of these, the vast majority of replies were concerned with the issue of gender. Mediators need to be aware of the risks of 'lining up' with the same sex parent and to take careful stock of the impact of solicitors on the gender aspects of the mediation meeting.
