Fatherhood from the fathers’ perspective: Involvement and well-being of fathers in nuclear and separated families

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anja Steinbach
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 549391328

Whereas child-centered approaches to father research, which examine the well-being of children in relation to paternal involvement, are widely established, there is still a lack of father-centered father research that looks at fathers’ understanding of their role and involvement from their perspective. This is a major gap in research because not only have ideas, models, and discourses regarding fathers changed fundamentally, but a greater involvement of fathers in everyday family life can also be observed. However, there is still a large discrepancy between the articulated gender role attitudes on the one hand and the actual behavior shown on the other. It is, therefore, important to investigate the conditions that make it easier or more difficult for men to be active fathers. In addition, the well-being of fathers - especially fathers who have separated - has hardly been investigated. This is another important research gap, as the well-being of all members of society is relevant. Furthermore, the well-being of fathers can also impact the well-being of children and mothers. The project aims to close these research gaps by investigating (1) paternal engagement and (2) fathers' well-being from a father’s perspective. Quantitative data will be collected to gain a comprehensive picture of father’s involvement, well-being, and the reality of fathers' lives in different family constellations (including cross-household constellations). As part of a representative study for Germany, a total of 5,000 men aged between 25 and 55 will be surveyed. The sample will be drawn from men in order to be able to include all "types" of biological and social fathers in cohabiting and separated families in the study. The survey is designed as an online survey (CAWI, "Computer Assisted Web Interview"). The age range was chosen to reach as many fathers as possible. Men who are not (yet) fathers are asked to complete a short questionnaire about their wishes and ideas regarding fatherhood. The results of the project not only make an important contribution to social science research but are also of public relevance, as they reveal new approaches to considering the situation of fathers - in particular by taking the fathers' perspective into account - and contribute empirically to the social discourse beyond individual cases reported in the media and statements by interest groups. They also provide important insights for other scientific and social areas, e.g., law, youth welfare work, mediation, and family counseling.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants