In recent years various factors have contributed to the dissolution of the traditional family and the subsequent emergence of alternative family systems like the single parent family. Single parent families have become a reality in our society, a fact reflected by statistics which indicate an increase in the occurrence of single parent families over the last couple of years. However, the single parent family is still mostly perceived as consisting of the mother and her children, rather than the father and his children. Research narratives seem to support the single-parenthood-equals-single-motherhood plot in that there is an abundance of single parent accounts in the literature that mostly tell the stories of single mothers. Thus, fathers who find themselves in the position of single father seem to be marginalised in society and stories regarding their experiences are few and far between. The aim of this project was to explore and describe how single fathers in South Africa experience fatherhood by focussing on their personal narratives. Therefore the research inquiry for this project took the form of a narrative inquiry which provides a way to understand people’s experiences by privileging their stories. The researcher conducted unstructured interviews with participants to produce languaged data which were analysed using a narrative analysis strategy. A narrative analysis aims to investigate not merely the content of the story, but rather the story itself and the way in which it is told within a specific cultural and historical context. Hopefully, in the telling, listening and retelling of their stories these fathers’ voices will become more pronounced in the research narratives and thus contribute to the body of knowledge pertaining to single fatherhood. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / Unrestricted

O objetivo desta pesquisa é, a partir do referencial junguiano, ampliar a compreensão de como está se dando a experiência de paternidade atualmente, com foco na subjetividade masculina: qual o impacto que a experiência de se tornar pai vem causando no processo de desenvolvimento psicológico do homem - seu processo de individuação. Em busca de maior compreensão do significado atual da paternidade para os próprios homens na condição de pais, procura-se observar como o arquétipo paterno está se constelando na sociedade atual, de acordo com os novos modos de sentir e de se comportar, tendo em vista uma atitude mais favorável à alteridade e às relações democráticas. A partir de uma contextualização histórico-social, reconstitui-se um cenário marcado pelas reformulações nas concepções de masculino e feminino que vêm ocorrendo nas últimas décadas, e que interferem coletivamente nas identidades de gênero, portanto na subjetividade masculina, com desdobramentos nas expectativas que recaem sobre a figura do pai. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa que tem como principal instrumento a entrevista individual, com base em um roteiro de temas e questões abordados de forma semi-dirigida. A partir dos depoimentos, observa-se a representação e a vivência de paternidade em transformação através de manifestações da paternidade distintas do padrão patriarcal dominante, caracterizado pelo afastamento afetivo no comportamento masculino. Verifica-se uma crescente expectativa por parte dos homens de maior participação na gravidez, parto e cuidados junto ao filho, acompanhada de envolvimento emocional expresso. Destacam-se na análise os temas do \'desejo de ser pai\' e \'modelos de pai\', que se articulam em torno da afetividade masculina e paterna em transformação. Constata-se a coexistência de múltiplas referências e a valorização dessa pluralidade expressa em comportamentos e valores, o que contrasta com antigos modelos até então tidos como hegemônicos. Trabalha-se com a hipótese de que a crise vivenciada nesse âmbito, em função da instabilidade gerada pelo período de transição que desorganiza tanto a estrutura emocional quanto as estruturas familiares, promove, a médio e longo prazo, crescimento tanto para o indivíduo como para a sociedade. / The purpose of this research is to broaden the understanding of how the experience of fatherhood is taking place at the present time, using a Jungian perspective: to find out what the impact of the experience of becoming a father is causing on men\'s developmental process and process of individuation. As a better understanding about the meaning of fatherhood nowadays for men themselves as fathers is searched, we analyse how the paternal archetype is being constellated in contemporary society, according to new modes of feeling and behaviour, aiming at a more favorable approach towards alterity and democratic relationships. After a sociohistoric contextualization, emerges a scenario marked by reformulation in the conceptions of masculine and feminine over the last decades, which interferes on the aggregate level in gender identities and, therefore, on male subjectivity as well, with consequences for the expectations towards the father figure. This is a qualitative research based on individual interviews supported by a semi-directed script of issues and questions. Based on these statements, we observe the representation and the experience of fatherhood in transformation throughout manifestations of fatherhood that differ from the dominant pattern (patriarchal) and characterized by emotional aloofness as a common male trait. Men\'s growing expectation towards greater participation over pregnancy, childbirth and day-to-day care has been identified, as well as explicit emotional involvement. \'Willingness to be a father\' and \'models of father\' were emphasized issues, involving male and paternal affection in transformation. The coexistence of multiple frames of reference along with such diversity, as expressed in behaviours and values, have been demonstrated. This contrasts with old models considered, until now, to be hegemonic. We worked with the hypothesis that the crisis in this area, due to instability generated by this transitory period that disorganizes both emotional and family structures, generates, over medium and long range, development for the individual as well as for society.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Family Studies and Social Work, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [1], viii, 90 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-86).

published_or_final_version / Mental Health / Master / Master of Social Sciences

This qualitative study expands the existing literature on fatherhood, single parents, and gay and lesbian adoption to include the unique experiences of single, gay men who became adoptive parents after "coming out", or establishing a gay identity. To illustrate these unique and common experiences, individual ethnographic interviews were conducted with 16 fathers residing throughout the United States, as well as internationally. Specifically, this study explored the participants' experiences through their reflections of the adoption process, and through their experiences after the family was established. The participants had experiences to those found in previous studies on gay and lesbian adoption and gay fathers, as well as possessed unique strengths, including tenacity and resiliency. Of particular importance are the strategies that each participant employed to deal with heterosexist and sexist stigmas, and continue to employ to maintain and protect their families. The participants were highly invested in their parental roles, and indisputably dedicated to the care of their children. Shifts in the participants' support networks to include greater involvement with heterosexual parents were also common. Finally, these fathers tended not to utilize existing support services, such as support groups for a variety of reasons. The results of this study are a useful addition to the social work knowledge base. On a micro level, the results may be useful for direct practitioners who are often responsible for making decisions regarding the fitness of gay men as fathers. The results may also be of interest to practitioners who work with the children of gay fathers, and are interested in gaining insight into the unique experiences of children raised in this particular family configuration. The results of the inquiry may also be useful to adoption professionals, who are responsible for conducting home studies, as well as for making placement decisions. On a macro level, the results may be useful to administrators who are working to develop programs whose goal is to support the continued development of gay fathers, or by policy makers who are interested in this specific group of gay fathers and their children.

The aim of the study is to, with a norm critical perspective, highlight how men and their parenting are represented and framed in child custody investigation reports in Sweden. The main focus is to show norms and beliefs about men and their parenting as several sources indicate that discrimination related to gender and ethnicity occurs. Based on a qualitative research effort, a document analysis has been made by 14 child custody investigation reports from diverse areas in the country. Through a thematic analysis tree themes became apparent. “Culture as an explanation”, “Gender inequality and women understand women best” and “The receiving father vs. the authoritarian father”. The selected theories that have been used to create an understanding of our research problem are the gender system and postcolonial theory. The results gave us the conclusion that in this context both structural discrimination and racial prejudices towards fathers are apparent in many cases.

The author joins the Peace Corps in the hopes that he will discover who he really is yet he only finds frustration. Upon returning to the States he has a daughter and finds peace. Within this peace, as he types up the life history of a friend, he finally makes a breakthrough, yet the answer he finds is not to his liking.

This dissertation proposes that Deuteronomy portrays the role of divine paternity in three dimensions; progenitor, caregiver, and covenant partner. After presenting the history of the research in chapter 1, this study recognizes that the fatherhood of God in Deuteronomy had been largely overlooked. Recognizing the phrase, "God is a father," to be metaphorical, this study presents a discussion on metaphorical theory in order to understand how metaphors work. Max Black's theory of interaction is accepted as a framework to understanding Deuteronomy's metaphor, "God is a father." Chapter 3 presents an overview of fatherhood from the perspective the ANE. The purpose of the chapter is to establish a system of associated commonplaces concerning the word "father" in the ANE, which, in turn, helps modern readers understand the phrase, "God is a father." This study investigates the literary and theological context of Deuteronomy 32, 1, 8, and 14 (in that order) where the fatherhood of God is revealed. Subsequently, it discusses the structure and genre of each chapter. Finally, it analyzes the verses in their context that speak of God as the father of Israel (Deut 32:6, 18; 1:31; 8:5; 14:1-2). Chapter 4 logically begins with Deuteronomy 32, for there it reveals Yahweh as the progenitor of Israel. Moreover, it is the only occurrence in Deuteronomy where the word "father" is used metaphorically for Yahweh. Deuteronomy 1 reveals Yahweh as caregiver , as he is compared to an earthly father carrying his son. Deuteronomy 8 continues the caregiving theme in the form of Yahweh disciplining Israel for their refinement and for their good. Deuteronomy 14 presents Yahweh's fatherhood as covenant partner . The chapter also portrays Israel as his son, his holy people, and his special treasure. Israel's role, as son, is to obey Yahweh's commands. The conclusion provides a summary and concluding thoughts pertaining to God's fatherhood in Deuteronomy. It affirms that Deuteronomy portrays Yahweh's divine paternity over Israel as progenitor, caregiver, and covenant partner. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of the role of the father and the experiences of fatherhood among Black South African fathers residing in urban Johannesburg. It further investigated how the experience of being fathered influenced being a father. Qualitative methods were utilised in the form of a narrative analysis of semi structured interviews. The interviews and the analysis relied upon the guidelines of the psychoanalytic research interview (Cartwright, 2002) in providing a psychoanalytic lens through which to analyse the data. An in depth analysis of the interview data and process notes generated the following focal themes: pre-natal experiences, identification, reparation, the experience of being a father, the perceived role of the father, transitioning into fatherhood and the internal father. Becoming a father seemed to bring with it a host of different emotions and anxieties both within the prenatal and post natal stages. Becoming a father also seemed to cause the majority of the participants to reflect on their own childhoods and their experiences of being fathered. Fatherhood also seemed to provide the opportunity for some type of reparation with the participants own fathers through their new roles as fathers. Transitioning into fatherhood proved to be difficult for most of the participants and the loss of certain aspects of their lives such as their more carefree youth and less responsibility, was highlighted. Interesting to note is the point that although all the participants were Black males, little information regarding traditional beliefs around fathering emerged. This was thought to be due to the fact that all the participants resided in an urban area, thus the strong influence of western culture was apparent.

La ricerca internazionale e nazionale ha messo in luce come la separazione/divorzio risulti essere una transizione familiare complessa, con molteplici conseguenze su diversi aspetti: personali/psicologici, sociali/relazionali, giuridici ed economici. Si assiste da una parte alla rottura del legame di coppia, che implica quindi una riorganizzazione e ridefinizione dei confini – familiari e non -, dall’altra parte vi è la continuità del legame genitoriale con i figli; quest’ultimo risulta essere particolarmente sfidante per i padri, che nella maggioranza dei casi non vivono quotidianamente coi figli. In Italia molti sono i padri che a seguito di tale evento si trovano in una condizione di povertà e che pertanto vivono maggiori difficoltà nell’esercitare il ruolo paterno. La presente ricerca va ad indagare nello specifico i padri che, dopo la separazione/divorzio, vivono una condizione di difficoltà abitativa e che sono accolti in strutture a loro dedicate (progetti di co-housing), con l’obiettivo di sostenerli per quanto riguarda le risorse materiali affinchè possano continuare ad esercitare il ruolo genitoriale. La domanda di ricerca sottesa è volta ad indagare che tipo di riflessività questi padri mettono in campo. Emerge un quadro complesso, di povertà multidimensionale, in cui si intersecano diverse dimensioni: economica, abitativa, lavorativa, personale, relazionale, familiare, genitoriale. / International and national research reveal how separation/divorce are events that can impact dramatically on family life trajectories: parents, children and family networks are involved in such event. It makes necessary to redefine and reorganize not only the daily and the relationships but also the identity of the people: mothers and fathers still remain parents, and they have to redefine and reorganize themselves as parents. In this context, this research will focus on the consequences of father’s lives, relationships and fathering practices after divorce in Italy. Divorced fathers are at risk of social exclusion: they, for instance, use social canteen for meals and co-housing or social projects in order to prevent homelessness. The main research question addressed is about the identity of such fathers who have to redefine and re-organize themselves. Findings suggest that we can observe a multidimensional framework that characterizes these fathers: unstable living and working conditions, economic resources, difficulties with children and poor social relationships. In considering divorce consequences, it is important to include both material and relational well-being after divorce (the structural dimension as well as the cultural and relational dimension), due to prevent the risk that marginalized fathers become “absent” fathers.