Date of Graduation
Spring 2022
Degree
Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development
Department
Early Childhood and Family Development
Committee Chair
Elizabeth King
Abstract
Reinforced by years of gender stereotypes is modern societies’ definition of masculinity, which has long been characterized by breadwinning and providing. Current literature has observed the growing trend which finds an increasing number of men engaged in the role of caregiver and the dynamic change in the home-work balance. Only a few studies looked at what life is like for a stay-at-home father and even fewer have allowed these fathers a unique voice for sharing their story. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of what day to day life was really like as a stay-at-home father. In a sense we aimed to adjust the current gender role stereotypes, through this intimate portrayal of one courageous father who chose a nurturing caregiving role instead of following societies’ definition of what a strong masculine provider looked like. This research study provided an authentic window into the realities faced by one stay-at-home father in today’s society. This study describes certain themes which emerged throughout, including the participant’s perception of his role as caregiver where he found greater fulfillment than his career, the fulfillment he found with his connection to his daughters, and finally he found the essence of meaning for his life, his self-esteem and his identity through being a stay-at-home dad. This research concluded for one stay-at-home father, a greater meaning for his life, a stronger bond with his daughters and an overall sense that he was paving the way for other men regarding a softer, nurturing side of masculinity.
Keywords
gender, masculinity, caregiving, stay-at-home fathers, fatherhood, gender roles, stereotypes, breadwinners, societal norms
Subject Categories
Community-Based Learning | Development Studies | Family, Life Course, and Society | Gender and Sexuality | Personality and Social Contexts | Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation | Politics and Social Change | Public Policy | Social Influence and Political Communication | Social Justice | Social Policy | Social Psychology | Social Work | Sociology of Culture
Copyright
© Christi Ann Hosking
Recommended Citation
Hosking, Christi Ann, "Stay-at-Home Fathers: What Is Their Life Really Like? An Intimate Portrayal" (2022). MSU Graduate Theses. 3712.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3712
Open Access
Included in
Community-Based Learning Commons, Development Studies Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Policy Commons, Social Psychology Commons, Social Work Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons
