Navigating Contemporary Fatherhood in Europe
Care and Involvement in Everyday Life
Bristol University Press
1st Edition
Published on 20. October 2025
Book
Hardback
196 pages
978-1-5292-4719-0 (ISBN)
Description
Drawing on extensive empirical research, this book examines paternal involvement in caregiving practices and asks what is currently happening to 'involved' fatherhood?
The book investigates fatherhood in various everyday settings, such as outdoor spaces, workplaces and the home, while considering the influence of policy frameworks across different European countries. By analysing fathers' experiences and the impact of policy on familial roles, it provides fresh insights into the concept of 'involvement' and progression towards practices of more equitable fatherhood.
Encouraging new thinking on paternal engagement, this is a critical look at how fatherhood is navigated, negotiated and understood within diverse cultural and policy contexts in everyday life.
The book investigates fatherhood in various everyday settings, such as outdoor spaces, workplaces and the home, while considering the influence of policy frameworks across different European countries. By analysing fathers' experiences and the impact of policy on familial roles, it provides fresh insights into the concept of 'involvement' and progression towards practices of more equitable fatherhood.
Encouraging new thinking on paternal engagement, this is a critical look at how fatherhood is navigated, negotiated and understood within diverse cultural and policy contexts in everyday life.
Reviews / Votes
'This book provides a powerful antidote to global toxic masculinity fears. The editors have curated new authoritative evidence of paternal caring from fathers and father figures in diverse settings and family circumstances. This is a significant contribution to public and academic understanding of the state of twenty-first century fatherhood.' Margaret O'Brien, University College London 'This fascinating volume is a unique and timely collection of research on recent trends in fatherhood in Europe'. Petteri Eerola, University of JyvaeskylaeMore details
Series
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
3 s/w Tabellen, 1 s/w Abbildung
3 Tables, black and white; 1 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 241 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
442 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5292-4719-0 (9781529247190)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Navigating Contemporary Fatherhood in Europe
Care and Involvement in Everyday Life
E-Book
10/2025
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€40.99
Available for download
Persons
Tina Miller is Professor of Sociology at Oxford Brookes University.
Lars Plantin is Professor of Social work at Malmoe University.
Allan Westerling is Associate Professor of Social Psychology at Roskilde University.
Lars Plantin is Professor of Social work at Malmoe University.
Allan Westerling is Associate Professor of Social Psychology at Roskilde University.
Contributions
Universita' Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore
Universita' Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore
The University of Liverpool
University College London
Plymouth Marjon University
University of Brighton
Leeds Trinity University
Malmoe Universitet, Institutionen foer Socialtarbete
The University of Gothenburg
Content
Introduction: What Has Happened to Involved Fatherhood? - Tina Miller, Lars Plantin and Allan Westerling
1. 'I Like to Be a Parent and a Student, Not a Student-Parent I Guess': Young Fathers Managing the Student-Parent Boundary in the Context of Higher Education - Kerry Fletcher
2. Fathering in Public: Navigating Care in Public Spaces - Jason Preston
3. The Role of Community Dads' Groups in the Construction of Fathering Identities - Ian Blackwell
4. 'I Wouldn't Want to Go There!': Examining the Complexities for Men in Navigating Feminist and Egalitarian Positions Towards Parental Leave - Clare Stovell
5. Pushing Fatherhood Into Private Spaces: The Dual Hands of Work and Family - Martyn Bradley
6. Redefining Paternal Identity in Family Transitions: The Experience of Divorced Fathers in Social Housing Projects in Italy - Maria Letizia Bosoni and Alice Zanchettin
7. 'I'm Very Different from My Father, I Talk Much More About Emotions': Minoritized Danish Fathers Navigating Fatherhood in Times of Intensified Parenting - Anne Hovgaard Jorgensen
8. Fatherhood in the Context of Memories of Child Sexual Abuse - Charlotte Petersson and Lars Plantin
9. Fathering in Sweden and the UK During Times of Crisis: Experiences of Forced Displacement and the COVID-19 Pandemic - Therese Wissoe and Tina Miller
Conclusion: Beyond Progressive?: Futures of Fatherhood Research in Europe - Allan Westerling, Lars Plantin and Tina Miller
1. 'I Like to Be a Parent and a Student, Not a Student-Parent I Guess': Young Fathers Managing the Student-Parent Boundary in the Context of Higher Education - Kerry Fletcher
2. Fathering in Public: Navigating Care in Public Spaces - Jason Preston
3. The Role of Community Dads' Groups in the Construction of Fathering Identities - Ian Blackwell
4. 'I Wouldn't Want to Go There!': Examining the Complexities for Men in Navigating Feminist and Egalitarian Positions Towards Parental Leave - Clare Stovell
5. Pushing Fatherhood Into Private Spaces: The Dual Hands of Work and Family - Martyn Bradley
6. Redefining Paternal Identity in Family Transitions: The Experience of Divorced Fathers in Social Housing Projects in Italy - Maria Letizia Bosoni and Alice Zanchettin
7. 'I'm Very Different from My Father, I Talk Much More About Emotions': Minoritized Danish Fathers Navigating Fatherhood in Times of Intensified Parenting - Anne Hovgaard Jorgensen
8. Fatherhood in the Context of Memories of Child Sexual Abuse - Charlotte Petersson and Lars Plantin
9. Fathering in Sweden and the UK During Times of Crisis: Experiences of Forced Displacement and the COVID-19 Pandemic - Therese Wissoe and Tina Miller
Conclusion: Beyond Progressive?: Futures of Fatherhood Research in Europe - Allan Westerling, Lars Plantin and Tina Miller