¿Qué Pasa Con Papá? Exploring Paternal Responsibilities and Physical Activity in Mexican-Heritage Families

Mexican-heritage children often achieve less physical activity (PA) than their counterparts and are at greater risk for associated comorbidities. Child PA is greatly influenced by their parents, yet researchers have rarely involved fathers in community health promotion. The purpose of this study is to examine Mexican-heritage fathers’ perceptions of responsibilities and self-reported activities. Promotoras recruited fathers (n = 300) from colonies on the Texas–Mexico border and administered Spanish-language surveys including paternal responsibilities, father PA, and PA co-participation. Two researchers coded responses. Open-ended items were coded and cross-tabulations between responsibilities and activities with children were examined. Fathers reported feeling monetary responsibilities most often. Fathers reported engaging in more activities with their sons than daughters; however, fathers engaged in very few activities specifically with their children. Feeling responsible for family expenses was associated with paternal PA co-participation with family and children. This study adds clarity to the role of Mexican-heritage fathers in child PA. Findings highlight potential areas for intervention including supporting fathers to take an active role in their children’s PA.

‘You Can’t Be Much of Anything from Inside’: The Implications of Imprisoned Fathers’ Parental Involvement and Generative Opportunities for Children’s Wellbeing

This study utilises interviews with 64 imprisoned fathers in South East Queensland (Australia) to examine changes in parental involvement since imprisonment. Although the majority of fathers were engaged in parenting their children before imprisonment, during the imprisonment period this parenting ceased for one third of previously involved fathers. The majority of fathers also described difficulties in being positively involved in their children’s lives. Results are discussed in terms of men’s opportunities for role modelling, generative thinking within a prison environment and the potential intergenerational consequences of reduced father involvement for children’s wellbeing.

“Real Heroes Care”: How Dad Bloggers Are Reconstructing Fatherhood and Masculinities

“Dad bloggers” are an emerging community of fathers in North America. These men use social media to document and discuss their experiences as parents and gather annually at the Dad 2.0 Summit. A central topic of discussion both online and offline is how involved fathers negotiate and rework gender roles and expectations. This study examines how dad bloggers create and engage with discourse about masculinities. Using blog posts, fieldwork observations, and interviews as data, I present qualitative findings illustrating the ways in which dad bloggers challenge traditional notions of masculinity, construct “caring masculinities,” and adopt a pro-feminist perspective. Despite certain tensions and contradictions within the community, I argue that dad bloggers are reconstructing fatherhood and masculinities in ways that promote care and equality overall.

“Unfortunately I’m a Massively Heavy Sleeper”: An Analysis of Fathers’ Constructions of Parenting

Expectations for fathers have changed over the past few decades—research has shown that many men express more egalitarian views toward fatherhood and being more involved in parenting, particularly in the caretaking and emotional aspects of parenting. However, despite intentions expressed before parenthood, parenting will often play out along more traditional, gendered lines. In this research, we demonstrate how discourses used by fathers might work to maintain gendered divisions in relation to parenting and work. Data were collected through semistructured interviews that covered men’s experiences of work and parenting. Discourse analysis was employed to analyze the data. We identified that while participants expressed a desire to be involved fathers, often this did not transpire. Participants’ inability to, or decisions not to be, actively involved was accounted for in various ways, and suggested a tension between what fathers recognize they should be doing, and what they are doing, as parents.