The subjective experiences of at -home dads
Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to investigate how at-home dads (AHDs) make the transition into the AHD-role. It also examines the subjective experiences of AHDs. Twenty AHDs and their wives participated in three one-to-two hour interviews; most couples were European-American, middle class, well-educated (i.e., bachelor degrees), and lived in the Midwest. Other participant demographics included: mean number of children: 2.14 (standard deviation: .84; range: 1 to 4); mean number of years as AHDs: 4.26 (standard deviation 2.15; range 1–7); mean number of years married: 8.81 (standard deviation 3.5; range 2–14); mean age: 37 for men (standard deviation 4.10; range 28–45) and 34 for women (standard deviation 3.13; range 28–45). Prior research shows that fathers experience increased stress, strain, and frustration after assuming an involved paternal role. Enhanced self-growth and improved parent-child relationships also are associated with an involved responsibility for children. However, no existing research assesses the validity of these findings with AHDs. Results show that multiple complex conditions interacting over a period of time encourage the development of the AHD-family. Some of these conditions include busy lives, existing job circumstances, geographic relocation, income-productivity and personality of each spouse, and specific child-rearing beliefs. After assuming full-time parenting, informants experience a range of advantages and challenges. These advantages include increased intimacy with their children and wives, improved happiness and reduced levels of stress, an enhanced sense of self, and receiving support. Respondents also identify a number of challenges with the AHD-role. These include a lack of self-confidence and discouragement with their role; disagreements with spouses regarding the division of labor; coping with such demands and frustrations as boredom, isolation, balancing time with children and wives; traveling with children; and consistent responsibility for children. Finally, AHDs identify experiences of disdain, prejudice, and discrimination from other people. Conclusions of this research examine the multiple complexities of the AHD-family and the subjective experiences of involved fathers. Implications point to the impact of this paternal role on the experiences of main-wage-earning-mothers and the children in this family arrangement.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Seery, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
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