Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts Honours
Faculty
Faculty of Community Services, Education and Social Sciences
First Supervisor
Dr Elithabeth Kaczmarek
Abstract
Fathering literature from the past 30 years was explored to firstly, gain an understanding of how fathering roles have changed over this time, and secondly, to explore predictors of fathering involvement. The major changes in fathering appear to originate in gender ideology, resulting from a growing rejection of male gender role constraints concerning how men relate to their children. Further issues explored include post-war societal change; personality; work roles; relationship quality, and gatekeeping, where the child's mother is believed influence her partners fathering involvement to suit her own needs. Comparisons with past research revealed that recent studies are more likely to explore quality of fathering than father time per se, and that fathering research prior to the 1990's may no longer be valid for a growing proportion of men who' seek a more emotionally productive relationship with their children. A trend for more engaged (nurturing and emotionally close) and less traditional (gender polarised) fathering is apparent.
Recommended Citation
Henderson, J. (2004). Exploring the Experience of Fatherhood for Men Over 40 Years of Age. Edith Cowan University. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/781