Transition to Parenthood for Fathers in Pre and Post Natal Care.
Transition to Parenthood for Fathers in Pre and Post Natal Care.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Pregnancy 2
Birth 3
Postnatal 4
Conclusion 5
References 6
Introduction
One of the greatest sources of stress for Australian couples is the societal shift from a clear-cut, gender-based division of labour to an expectation that both partners should have a part in all aspects of their lives together. In short, men and women are now sharing roles that were once consigned to one sex or the other. The old ideas have been hard to overcome, but as women have sought equal rights in regards to employment and social status the transition has eased, and both men and women are shedding their old roles.
The role of the father has been dramatically changing as society continues to be more accepting of the dad’s role in the birthing process. Diamond (1992) argues that becoming a father is “not when their partner has given birth to a baby and is not the beginning of the paternal instinct; rather it is within a male in childhood just as being a mother is for young girls”. In this current climate fathers are looked down upon socially if they miss the delivery of their baby’s birth, yet often fathers still feel quite unwanted or not entirely needed during labour. Their role is often relegated to the important yet more distant job of overseeing their partner’s wellbeing and offered token jobs such as “cord cutting”. Sanderson and Thompson (2002) argue there is a change in the culture of fatherhood. Men have begun to express their desire to be seen as intimate and involved in the day to day rearing of children. Interestingly it is the older fathers who seem less tied to the stereotypical role or behaviour opting for a style considered traditionally maternal with adolescent fathers more likely to expect traditional roles in child rearing. (Parke, 2004)
With this in mind it is important to examine the role of fathers in the same way as we
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Pregnancy 2
Birth 3
Postnatal 4
Conclusion 5
References 6
Introduction
One of the greatest sources of stress for Australian couples is the societal shift from a clear-cut, gender-based division of labour to an expectation that both partners should have a part in all aspects of their lives together. In short, men and women are now sharing roles that were once consigned to one sex or the other. The old ideas have been hard to overcome, but as women have sought equal rights in regards to employment and social status the transition has eased, and both men and women are shedding their old roles.
The role of the father has been dramatically changing as society continues to be more accepting of the dad’s role in the birthing process. Diamond (1992) argues that becoming a father is “not when their partner has given birth to a baby and is not the beginning of the paternal instinct; rather it is within a male in childhood just as being a mother is for young girls”. In this current climate fathers are looked down upon socially if they miss the delivery of their baby’s birth, yet often fathers still feel quite unwanted or not entirely needed during labour. Their role is often relegated to the important yet more distant job of overseeing their partner’s wellbeing and offered token jobs such as “cord cutting”. Sanderson and Thompson (2002) argue there is a change in the culture of fatherhood. Men have begun to express their desire to be seen as intimate and involved in the day to day rearing of children. Interestingly it is the older fathers who seem less tied to the stereotypical role or behaviour opting for a style considered traditionally maternal with adolescent fathers more likely to expect traditional roles in child rearing. (Parke, 2004)
With this in mind it is important to examine the role of fathers in the same way as we
References: Anderson, A. M. (1996). The father-infant relationship: Becoming connected. Journal of the Society of Paediatric Nurses, 1(2), 83-93. Antle-May, K., & Perrin, S.P. (1985). Prelude, pregnancy and birth. Beverly Hill: Sage. Chandler, S. & Field, P. A. (1997). Becoming a father. First time fathers’ experience of labor and delivery. Journal of Midwifery, 42, 17-24. Diamond, M. J. (1992). Creativity needs in becoming a father. Journal of Men’s Studies. Vol. 1 pg.41. Draper, J. (2002). It was a real good show: The ultrasound scan, fathers and the power of visual knowledge. Sociology of Health and Illness 24 (6). Griswold, R.L. (1993). Fatherhood in America: A history. New York: Basic Books. Henderson, A. & Brouse, J. (1991). The experiences of new father during the first 3 weeks of life. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 16:293-8. Herzog, J.M. (1982). Patterns of expectant fatherhood: A study of fathers of a group of premature infants. Boston: Little, Brown. Johnson, M. P. (2002). An exploration of men’s experience and role at childbirth. Journal of Men’s Studies. Vol. 10. pg.165. May, K. A. (1982). Three phases in father involvement in pregnancy. Nursing Research, 31, 337-342. Parke, R. D. (2204). Fathers, families and the future: A plethora of plausible predictions. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 50 (4), pp. 456-470. Pleck, J.H. (1987). American fathering in historical perspective. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Roopnarine, J.l. & Miller, B.C. (1985). Transitions to fatherhood. CA: Sage Publications. Sanderson, S., & Thompson, V. L. S. (2002). Factors associated with perceived paternal involvement in childrearing. Sex Roles, 46 (3-4), 99-111.