1st Edition

Men, Caregiving and the Media The Dad Dilemma

By Sarah C. Hunter, Damien W. Riggs Copyright 2020
    140 Pages
    by Routledge

    140 Pages
    by Routledge

    Analysing diverse media representations of men who provide primary care to their children, this book demonstrates how the practice of fatherhood – and of masculinity - is changing, and the ways media representations sensationalise and reinforce gender inequities in regards to carework.



    This book examines disparities between practices of carework amongst heterosexual couples and media representations of men who provide primary care, whilst also including a discussion of media accounts of primary caregiving amongst gay couples. The book also provides a detailed analysis of the relationship between care labor and public understandings of masculinity. Assessing whether media accounts of fathers who provide primary care undermine egalitarian approaches to the division of labor amongst heterosexual couples, this book is a vital intervention into public discourse about masculinity, fathering and caregiving.



    This book will an important resource for students, researchers, educators and practitioners as it brings together a range of in-depth literatures, and empirical analyses to provide a clear overview of contemporary fathering. It will be essential reading in the fields of gender studies and masculinity studies, together with sociology of families, cultural studies, social psychology and social policy.

    Chapter 1: Introduction

    Abstract

    Introduction

    The gendered contexts of reproduction and care

    Debates over masculinity and carework

    Media representation and intelligibility

    Chapter contents

    Concluding thoughts

    References

    Chapter 2: Contextualising the changing nature of fatherhood

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Fathers who provide primary care: What does this mean?

    Increased father involvement and fathers who provide primary care

    Fathering and policy

    Prevalence of fathers who provide primary care: How much increase has there been?

    Concluding thoughts

    References

    Chapter 3: ‘It’s a mom’s world’: Parenting books written for men who provide primary care

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Parenting equals mothering

    Fathering as discretionary

    Mums know best

    Fathers are ‘supposed’ to work

    Masculine enough

    Fathering as unique

    Concluding thoughts

    References

    Chapter 4: ‘We are all equal. But no Dad can be a Mum’: Newsprint media constructions and representations of men who provide primary care

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Where are the fathers?

    Contemporary fathering as contradictory

    Defending fathers who provide primary care

    Caregiving is difficult

    Fathers who provide primary care must be ‘real’ men

    Concluding thoughts

    References

    Chapter 5: ‘We are not Mr Mom’: Blogging and self-representation by men who provide primary care

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Same old brand new you

    The stakes of ‘daddy blogging’

    Pathways to primary caregiving

    The purpose of running a blog

    Accounts of masculinity

    Primary caregiving as a job

    Blog-related achievements

    Imaging primary caregiving on blogs

    Concluding thoughts

    References

    Chapter 6: "I don’t think it’s a role reversal. I just think it’s a role sharing": Small screen representations of men who provide primary care

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Small screens, big issues

    The small screen as a potential site of resistance

    Television news media

    Talk shows

    Youtube vlogs

    Documentaries

    Reality television

    Concluding thoughts

    References

    Chapter 7: ‘Of course they’d let me coach, ‘cos I’m having a boy!’ Small screen representations of gay men providing primary care

    Abstract

    Introduction

    The new homonormativity: Gay fathers on television

    Contrasting ‘good’ and ‘bad’ reproductive citizens

    An emphasis upon gender role models

    Gay men and intimacy

    Concluding thoughts

    References

    Chapter 8: Conclusion

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Common themes in this book

    Institutional barriers to men as primary caregivers

    The media as potential driver for change

    ‘New’ masculinities and care

    The ongoing problem of language

    Where next?

    Concluding thoughts

    References

    List of Tables

    Table 1: Parenting Manual Books

    Table 2: Autobiographical Books

    Biography

    Sarah C. Hunter is a post-doctoral research fellow in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University and a Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Psychology, the University of Adelaide. Her research interests pertain to Men, Masculinities and Fathering. In particular, she is interested in the role of social norms and expectations and how the discourses surrounding these impacts on the lives of men and fathers. One of her more notable publications in this area published in Social Personality and Psychology Compass challenged current thinking in the field by arguing that suggestions of shifts in masculinity are overstated. In addition, Sarah’s research also pertains to Knowledge Translation and the various ways in which we can take research findings and influence policy and practice and make positive, sustainable change in society.





    Damien W. Riggs is a professor in psychology at Flinders University and an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. He is the author of over 200 publications in the fields of gender, family, and mental health, including Working with transgender young people and their families: A critical developmental approach (Palgrave, 2019). He is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and a psychotherapist in private practice specialising in working with transgender young people.