Interest in the role of the father and his influence on children’s development and economic well-being has grown considerably. This edited volume uses detailed accounts to provide culturally situated analysis of fathering in cultures around the world. The book’s contributors, a multidisciplinary group of scholars, bring together the most recent theoretical thinking and research findings on fatherhood and fathering in cultural communities across developed, recently developed, and developing societies. They address such issues as fathering and gender equality in caregiving, concepts of masculinity in contemporary societies, fathering in various ethnic groups, immigrant fathers, fathering and childhood outcomes, and social policies as they affect and are affected by issues related to fathering.

Organized geographically, the book scrutinizes major sociocultural, demographic, economic, and other factors that influence men’s relationships within families. It shows how economic conditions impact men’s involvement with children and considers the effects of ideological belief systems and views of spousal/partner roles and responsibilities. The analysis is underpinned by recent data that underscores the significance of fathers’ involvement with and investment in the well-being of their children.

Features

• Explores variations in father-child relationships across a wide range of cultural settings
• Enhances understanding of the increasing role of men in fostering the well-being of children
• Calls attention to the importance of the diverse roles of fathers in a changing global community
• Examines the changing dynamic of parenting vis-à-vis gender roles
• Approaches the study of fathering from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, human development and family studies, and early childhood development