The role of the father in post-modern times has changed dramatically and the new challenges posed to fathers due to these changes prompted this study. The aim of this study is to design a theory for a practice that could possibly be used by a Biblical counsellor or therapist to counsel and enrich fathers amidst the challenges of the post-modern world. The research was done on the basis of the practical theological model of Zerfass and contains the following structure: • A meta-theoretical evaluation of fatherhood in related subject areas revealed by literature studies. • The meta-theoretical evaluation was combined with an empirical research by means of interviews with fathers. An applicable questionnaire was used to research the conceptual understanding of fatherhood and practice of post-modern fatherhood with the fathers. . A basic theory on which Scriptural perspectives on fatherhood have been researched. The meta-theoretical research indicated that the main reason for the dramatic changes to fatherhood is not ideological based but due to practical changes in society. Due to the women's very successful entering of the workplace, a predominantly men's territory, many things have changed on the family front. Men were forced to share responsibilities in the practical care taking of children at home. A search for new models to post-modern fatherhood started. The old patriarchal model failed to provide ways of meaningful understanding and processing the new challenges of fatherhood brought on by practical changes in the society of a post-modern world. Linked to this search for new models of post-modern fatherhood is the feminist's struggle against patriarchy. The research indicated that the main pillar of patriarchy was the theological concept of God as Father. The feminist produced a lot of material on the ways and means to free God and society of patriarchy. The basic theory on which Scriptural perspectives on fatherhood have been researched took into consideration the results of feminist's studies. One benefit from the feminist's struggle was the emphasis put on the metaphorical character of theological discourse. God our Father is a metaphorical discourse, which bring into play the hermeneutic process of interpretation. Realising the metaphorical character of theological language we can enhance our understanding of God by reconstructing our concept of God's fatherhood. Through research we rediscovered many other complimenting metaphors of God in a parental capacity (God sometimes acts like a Mother, He gave birth to His people etc.) which can help the post-modern father to come to a better self-expression when it comes to the challenges posed to him today. Very often these new roles were traditionally restricted to the women's territory. The conclusion of the research is that through the process of pastoral hermeneutics the post-modern father can discover the cultured derived practice of his fatherhood and evaluate this post-modern fatherhood in terms of God's fatherhood as it has been revealed through the process of researching the Scripture. The interaction between his understanding of what fatherhood means and of God's fatherhood enables the father to come to a new and meaningful self-expression of his own fatherhood in post-modern times. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Dažniausia šeimoje vaiko ugdymas ir priežiūra labiau tapatinama su vaiko motinos veikla. Tačiau tėvo įsitraukimas į savo vaiko ugdymo bei priežiūros procesą yra ne mažiau svarbus. Tik abu tėvai gali sudaryti palankias sąlygas augti vaikui šeimoje. Auginant vaiką, pas tėvą turi pasireikšti tėviškumo savybė. Ši savybė savo ruožtu pasižymi įvairiais požymiais. Šio magistrinio darbo tikslas - nustatyti tėviškumo ir vaiko mokymosi pasiekimų sąsajas. Empirinio tyrimo metu buvo apklausti Kauno miesto vidurinių mokyklų 14 – 18 metų amžiaus moksleiviai. Viso apklausta 370 moksleivių. Apklausos metu buvo sužinota respondentų nuomonė apie jų tėvų tėviškumo pasireiškimą bei gauti duomenys apie moksleivių mokymosi pasiekimus. Respondentų nuomonė buvo gauta pasitelkus Tėvo dalyvavimo skalę, kuri padeda nustatyti vyro tėviškumo požymių raišką. Darbe pateikti tėviškumo požymių raiškos ypatumai. Darbe taip pat buvo nustatyta, kad tėviškumas, kaip vyro savybė, siejasi su vaiko mokymosi pasiekimais. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, jog aštuoni iš devinių, tėviškumą nusakančių, požymių turi ryšį su vaiko mokymosi pasiekimais (pažymių vidurkiu). Taip pat nustatyta, kad visi devyni tėviškumo požymiai turi ryšį su moksleivių pamokų lankomumu, kaip veiksniu, kuris gali įtakoti mokymosi pasiekimus. / The education of child in a family is mostly comprehensible as a duty of a mother. But a father is also a very important person in process of child’s education. Only both parents can create a favourable situations to raise their child. While raising a child a man reveals father’s characteristic – fatherhood. This characteristic is characterized by various features. The purpose of these master thesis is to determine the connection between fatherhood and child’s learning outcomes. There were examined 370 (14 – 18 years old) schoolchildren from three middle schools in Kaunas. During the inquiry there was collected child‘s opinion obout their father‘s fatherhood characteristic and data about child‘s learning outcomes. The respondents were questioned with the help of "The Inventory of father involvement", which enables to determine the level of father‘s characteristic – fatherhood. In the research there were presented pecularities of fatherhood characteristic. There was estimated that fatherhood, as the characteristic of male, correlates with child‘s learning outcomes. It was also estimated that eight of nine father‘s fatherhood indications have a connection with child‘s learning outcomes and all nine indications have a connection with the attendance of lessons.

This dissertation examines the images and reality of fatherhood, between 1870 and 1914, using a case study of Montreal's middle class, and specifically the English speaking, Protestant community. An examination of reform literature, custody decisions, and fiction suggest that providing for his family's material needs was a father's first duty. Fatherhood was also invested with authority and power. Yet, the sentimental family ideal entrusted the mother with the emotional elements of child-rearing. Many fathers appear to have created nurturing relationships with their children, despite the emotionally restrictive social images, and society's emphasis on the importance of motherhood.

Using data from the 2013 American Community Survey, the author examines the wage returns to same-sex parenthood and their role in the sexual orientation wage gap. Specifically, he compares individuals by gender, sexual orientation, and household earner status. The importance of accounting for household specialization among heterosexual men and women is illustrated by the significant differences in returns to parenthood between heterosexuals of the same gender, but different earner statuses. The empirical results show that gay men face a fatherhood penalty for the presence of children between the ages of 5 and 18 irrespective of earner status. Lesbians on the other hand, experience motherhood premiums for the presence of children under the age of 5, but modest motherhood penalties for the presence of children between the ages of 5 and 18. Ultimately, differences in the wage returns to parenthood for gays, lesbians, and their respective heterosexual counterparts play a negligible role in sexual orientation wage differentials.

There has been increasingly interest in parental leave policies as instruments for the implementation of gender equality in society. This review essay explores the link between parental leave policies and the gender division of labour - referring to both paid employment and unpaid family work. Against this backdrop the essay systematically reviews evidence from quantitative empirical research on the effects of parental leave policies on mothers' employment and fathers' involvement in family work. The article suggests that there are several aspects of parental leave that seem to be especially relevant for the gender division of labour, such as the duration of leave, the provision of payments, and an individual entitlement of non-transferable leave rights. In a concluding section the article summarizes the results, discusses doubts and questions raised by the material and identifies promising areas of future research that are crucial for a better understanding of the effects of parental leave on the gender division of labour. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers / Institut für Sozialpolitik

There has been increasingly interest in parental leave policies as instruments for the implementation of gender equality in society. This review essay explores the link between parental leave policies and the gender division of labour - referring to both paid employment and unpaid family work. Against this backdrop the essay systematically reviews evidence from quantitative empirical research on the effects of parental leave policies on mothers' employment and fathers' involvement in family work. The article suggests that there are several aspects of parental leave that seem to be especially relevant for the gender division of labour, such as the duration of leave, the provision of payments, and an individual entitlement of non-transferable leave rights. In a concluding section the article summarizes the results, discusses doubts and questions raised by the material and identifies promising areas of future research that are crucial for a better understanding of the effects of parental leave on the gender division of labour. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers / Institut für Sozialpolitik

The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / Thesis (M.A. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The role of the father in post-modern times has changed dramatically and the new challenges posed to fathers due to these changes prompted this study. The aim of this study is to design a theory for a practice that could possibly be used by a Biblical counsellor or therapist to counsel and enrich fathers amidst the challenges of the post-modern world. The research was done on the basis of the practical theological model of Zerfass and contains the following structure: • A meta-theoretical evaluation of fatherhood in related subject areas revealed by literature studies. • The meta-theoretical evaluation was combined with an empirical research by means of interviews with fathers. An applicable questionnaire was used to research the conceptual understanding of fatherhood and practice of post-modern fatherhood with the fathers. . A basic theory on which Scriptural perspectives on fatherhood have been researched. The meta-theoretical research indicated that the main reason for the dramatic changes to fatherhood is not ideological based but due to practical changes in society. Due to the women's very successful entering of the workplace, a predominantly men's territory, many things have changed on the family front. Men were forced to share responsibilities in the practical care taking of children at home. A search for new models to post-modern fatherhood started. The old patriarchal model failed to provide ways of meaningful understanding and processing the new challenges of fatherhood brought on by practical changes in the society of a post-modern world. Linked to this search for new models of post-modern fatherhood is the feminist's struggle against patriarchy. The research indicated that the main pillar of patriarchy was the theological concept of God as Father. The feminist produced a lot of material on the ways and means to free God and society of patriarchy. The basic theory on which Scriptural perspectives on fatherhood have been researched took into consideration the results of feminist's studies. One benefit from the feminist's struggle was the emphasis put on the metaphorical character of theological discourse. God our Father is a metaphorical discourse, which bring into play the hermeneutic process of interpretation. Realising the metaphorical character of theological language we can enhance our understanding of God by reconstructing our concept of God's fatherhood. Through research we rediscovered many other complimenting metaphors of God in a parental capacity (God sometimes acts like a Mother, He gave birth to His people etc.) which can help the post-modern father to come to a better self-expression when it comes to the challenges posed to him today. Very often these new roles were traditionally restricted to the women's territory. The conclusion of the research is that through the process of pastoral hermeneutics the post-modern father can discover the cultured derived practice of his fatherhood and evaluate this post-modern fatherhood in terms of God's fatherhood as it has been revealed through the process of researching the Scripture. The interaction between his understanding of what fatherhood means and of God's fatherhood enables the father to come to a new and meaningful self-expression of his own fatherhood in post-modern times. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

This study focuses on the meaning of the Fatherhood of God in the counselling of the adoptee. A study of relevant literature has shown that the metaphor "God the Father" is seldom incorporated in pastoral counselling. This study explores the possibility of successfully incorporating the concept "Fatherhood of God" in the counselling of the adoptee. In order to do so, the perspectives of the basis theory and metatheory have been investigated. The basis theory has been developed through an exegetical study of Old Testament verses that speak explicitly of the Fatherhood of God, as well as the three Abba-texts of the New Testament. This indicates that the covenant is closely related to the Fatherhood of God. The metatheory has been developed after studying literature regarding adoption from the perspective of other disciplines. The matters identity, rejection and loss have been shown as significant issues in the life of the adoptee. An empirical study has been done in addition to the basis- and metatheory. This investigation has brought to light that the adoptee does in general sense not connect the concept "Fatherhood of God" to his adoption. In order to develop an own model, different existing models have been investigated. Thus it was decided to use the model of Eyrich and Hines as guideline. A model has been developed and proposed that successfully incorporates the research findings of this study. It seems that the concept "Fatherhood" of God can be successfully utilised in the pastoral counselling of the adoptee, especially regarding the issues of identity, rejection and loss. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This study focuses on the meaning of the Fatherhood of God in the counselling of the adoptee. A study of relevant literature has shown that the metaphor "God the Father" is seldom incorporated in pastoral counselling. This study explores the possibility of successfully incorporating the concept "Fatherhood of God" in the counselling of the adoptee. In order to do so, the perspectives of the basis theory and metatheory have been investigated. The basis theory has been developed through an exegetical study of Old Testament verses that speak explicitly of the Fatherhood of God, as well as the three Abba-texts of the New Testament. This indicates that the covenant is closely related to the Fatherhood of God. The metatheory has been developed after studying literature regarding adoption from the perspective of other disciplines. The matters identity, rejection and loss have been shown as significant issues in the life of the adoptee. An empirical study has been done in addition to the basis- and metatheory. This investigation has brought to light that the adoptee does in general sense not connect the concept "Fatherhood of God" to his adoption. In order to develop an own model, different existing models have been investigated. Thus it was decided to use the model of Eyrich and Hines as guideline. A model has been developed and proposed that successfully incorporates the research findings of this study. It seems that the concept "Fatherhood" of God can be successfully utilised in the pastoral counselling of the adoptee, especially regarding the issues of identity, rejection and loss. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.