Fathering: New Perspectives, Paradigms, and Possibilities

• Published in: Psychology of men & masculinity 2021-07, Vol.22 (3), p.427-432
• Main Authors: Volling, Brenda L., Palkovitz, Rob
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Awareness; Children; Coparenting; Diversity; Ecology; Families & family life; Family; Family Relations; Fathering; Fathers; Gender Identity; Human; Inclusion; Male; Masculinity; Men; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Parenting; Parents & parenting; Roles
• ISSN: 1524-9220; 1939-151X
• DOI: 10.1037/men0000354

Research on fathering and father-child relationships has been conducted for more than 40 years but fathers are still missing in many studies focused on parenting and parent-child relationships. In this special issue, our goal was to compile a group of papers that would provide a catalyst to move fathering scholarship forward into emerging areas with renewed focus, awareness, and attention to the social and cultural ecology of fathers, children, and family life. The work in this issue exemplifies the new theoretical perspectives and research questions driving contemporary fathering research and acknowledges men's varied roles as fathers and their contributions to family life. Different methodological approaches are showcased, including secondary data analyses with large national data sets, longitudinal studies with observational assessments, and intensive qualitative studies. We discuss the various themes emerging from this collection, including the centrality of the father role to men's identity, the role of men as coparents, a focus on nontraditional family forms, and a recognition of inclusion, diversity and equity.