Construction of Fatherhood Identity

Abstract

This mixed method study aims to examine the construction of fatherhood identity across various life stages. Initial part of the study qualitatively explores the identity construction and its associated factors among fathers aged between 25-45+, revealing that age of children, marital quality, maternal gatekeeping, work-life balance and personal beliefs shape paternal identity. The second part of the study is conducted in two phases, beginning with quantitative phase, a set of standardized quantitative scales are employed that establishes significant relationship between fatherhood identity and variable such as- traditional fatherhood beliefs, marital satisfaction, maternal gatekeeping and family-work conflict. The second phase is purely qualitative, by incorporating semi-structured interviews to gain perspectives of mothers and grandfathers on modern fatherhood, highlighting the significance of paternal role in emotional availability, co-parenting, higher involvement in caregiving and intergenerational shift in traditional fatherhood ideology. By integrating insights from fathers, mothers and grandfathers, the research provides a comprehensive understanding on construction of fatherhood identity. The findings indicate that paternal identity is not static but is dynamic in nature, that gradually evolves and is influenced by paternal commitment, marital satisfaction, balance between work and family, suggesting that fatherhood identity is shaped not only by personal factors but also by relational, contextual and generational influences. Keywords- Fatherhood identity, paternal involvement, maternal gatekeeping, marital satisfaction, work-family conflict and intergeneration transmission.