Review: Men found the early months of first time fatherhood challenging
Barclay L, Lupton D. The experiences of new fatherhood: a socio.cultural analysis.
J Adv Nurs 1999;29:1013.20.
Question
What are men's experiences of first time fatherhood during the 6 months immediately after the birth of their infant?
Design
Longitudinal, naturalistic study.
Setting
Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Participants
Altogether 15 men (approximate age range 24.37 years)
who were experiencing fatherhood for the first time
were recruited from pre.parenthood classes in a
hospital. The men's occupations included factory super.
visor, financial analyst, sales representative, nurses' aid,
storeman, plumber, and psychologist.
Methods
In depth, semistructured interviews were conducted
for 1 hour on four occasions over about 6 months (just
before the birth of the child until 5 or 6 months after
the birth). Interviews were done without the men's
partners present. Data were sought on men's
expectations, feelings, and experiences of fatherhood,
and their contribution to decision making about child
care. All interviews were audiotaped and fully
transcribed. Discourse analysis was used to extract the
men's beliefs and representations of their experiences.
Main findings
Three interrelated themes were identified. The first
theme related to renegotiating paid employment and
household work. Men wanted to be involved with their
infant but were limited by factors such as their paid
employment and their partner's expectations. Men
who lacked skill in household tasks and caring for their
infant had to invest time and energy to develop these
skills. Families with men who had realistic expectations
of and competence in household and infant work were
advantaged.
The second theme related to expectations and
symbolic meanings of fatherhood. Men expected to
play the part of nurturer in "being there" for their
infant; however, many found this to be unachievable
immediately after the birth. Men expected their infants
to be more socially responsive than they proved to be.
They found the infant's feeding to be symbolic of an
intimate relationship. Although they understood the
benefits of breast feeding some men were disappointed
because of their lack of involvement in it. Men who
entered a care providing relationship soon after birth
were quicker to achieve a bond with their infant.
The third theme related to the changing relation.
ship with their partner. Men were surprised at the ten.
sion brought about in the relationship with their
partners by the birth of the baby. Both partners
struggled to feel good about their new roles.
Funding: Australian Research Council.
EBM - Commentary
The study by Barclay and Lupton provides an interesting perspective on the
concept of fatherhood in a "new man" contemporary Western society. Most
men in this qualitative study found fatherhood to be disappointing and
frustrating in the early weeks after the birth of their child. They also
expected to be more involved than they were.
A strength of this study is the extensive interview process, including four 1 hour interviews beginning before the birth of the baby. More information on the theoretical underpinnings of the study is required for an accurate critique. It would also be useful to have more information about discourse analysis. The study, however, examines an understudied and important topic and should be replicated with other cultures worldwide.
Although men thought they could nurture, invest emotional and physical energy in their children, and obtain increased emotional satisfaction in return, the unexpected immaturity of the infant, and the men's lack of time
to get to know the infant made these expectations unrealistic. Breast feeding
excluded men from a close relationship with their child. Their impotence, as
they struggled with new experiences, often resulted in anger or frustration
at themselves and tense and strained relationships with their partners.
Fatherhood has been studied far less than motherhood. The findings of this study show that first time fathering in contemporary Western society requires men to be providers, household helpers, and nurturers. These
findings increase our understanding of the experiences of new fathers and
emphasise the need to focus on the new father in our assessment, support,
and education of new families.
Bridget Johnston lecturer in palliative care, Strathcarron Hospice, Denny, Scotland
Evidence.Based Nursing
L Barclay, professor, Family Health Research Unit, L2, J Laws House, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
studentBMJ 2000;08:45-88 March ISSN 0966-6494
