What is “the Good Father” in Germany? Between Breadwinning and Nurturing

• In Event: 054 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on the Sociology of the Family Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01.Fatherhood and Paid Labor

Abstract

Over time, “good fatherhood” in Germany has changed in definition, including biological siring, protection, providing, and nurturing of children (including childcare, emotional support, and education). We empirically model the contemporary German ideal of “good fathering” using a 2006 sample of 691 German citizens from age 18 to 92, selected from resident registration lists in four representative regions. Two-thirds of respondents associ-ate good fathering with both nurturing and breadwinning, and one third associate good fathering only with nurturing. We analyze which social groups prioritize which dimen-sions based on sex categories, region, birth cohort, education level, partnership and parenthood status, and religion. Results point to strong institutional and structural effects on the social construction of fatherhood in Germany, highlighting the mismatch between the idealized “good father” and chances men have to achieve it based on current German welfare state policies, labor market conditions, and cultural expectations. We suggest pos-sible links to the German demographic problem of low fertility.

Authors

• Heather Hofmeister, Goethe-University, Frankfurt

• Nina Baur, Technical University Berlin