Becoming father: between new ideals and old structures

Abstract

Recent evidence shows that gender relations have been changing in a wide range of themes; however, sexual division of work and inequality still thrives. For instance, when couples face parenthood, domestic and care giving tasks continue to be predominantly assigned to women. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the experience of a series of men during their trajectory to fatherhood (first time fathers) in order to identify the predominant ideals about becoming a father and the obstacles which continue to complicate the fact that men intervene with more egalitarian practices regarding to upbringing. Therefore, in depth interviews with men living in Mexico City were conducted. Through a qualitative analysis we developed four thematic axes which revealed the challenges that men with an egalitarian ideal about fatherhood struggle; and ultimately, the relevance of structural, identity and relational aspects are discussed.