The thesis describes fatherhood from the antic age until now. It defines the role play of the father in each historical periods of time and describes sources of influence which formed this role. The study is also focused on the influence in the catholic church and analysis from the church point of view. Subject of the thesis practical part is views of men on their role as fathers in a Prague suburb parish. It attempts to capture their fatherhood experience and to analyse it in relation to the fathers' attitude to the education of their children and material security. It focuses on ways of spending leisure time with their children, their education and comprehension and passing faith on them. It also analyses ways of the fathers' involvement in their households and child care.