Interview With A Single Father

Although the concept of family has been significantly modernised in today’s Western society, societal expectations and stereotypes have not followed the same movement. Consequently, parenting roles have remained somewhat gendered. There is however, some hope for optimism; parenting is changing, whether a shift in parenting paradigm will bring about gender equality remains to be seen. Despite the change in paternal and maternal roles over time, the concept of ‘mommy only’ or ‘daddy only’ duties remain prevalent in our society. Many of these gender labeled roles are to the result of stigmas and ideologies that have endured through the decades (Austin, 2011). The discrimination of roles and assumptions are problematic, especially the excessive

Pauline and James are divorced and are single parents to ___ (how many kids). My rationale behind interviewing single parents was to gain an insight into the lifestyle of a married parent compared to a single parent, thus explain how their relationship status has shaped their parenting roles. Furthermore, I also interviewed a stay at home father (Adam). Contrary to traditional gender roles, Adam has decided to resign from his full time job to become a stay at home father. He has been the main caregiver of his daughters since their birth while his wife, a physician, works full

Centuries ago, fathers were primarily the main income earner, teachers of moral values and religious education to their children. This was the norm in a society that was largely based on agriculture and males worked in their fields. However, industrialisation and urbanisation has revolutionised the work force. Consequently, fathers started working outside of the home and factories emerged in major cities which became the source of employment for most fathers.

In a more recent history, the changing economy alongside the rise of feminism and the breakthrough of birth control, resulted in the swap over of gendered household duties. Consequently, this has also impacted fathers’ roles in the household. Another factor which resulted in the shift of gendered roles was the absence of male workers who became soldiers during the Second World War, which required women to fill the traditional manufacture jobs previously held by men. The war industry also created many new manufacturing opportunities which has continued long after the end of the war and has not declined. Studies indicate that between 1948 and 2001, the percentage of employed women, or women seeking work nearly doubled. These statistics have shown that less than thirty-three percent to more than sixty percent of women began to work outside of the home during this period. The increase in household income decreased