Determinants, Costs, and Meanings of Belgian Stay-at-Home Fathers: An International Comparison

Abstract

Data gathered from 21 at-home fathers living in Belgium were analyzed and compared to results from research conducted in Australia, Sweden and the USA on fathers taking primary responsibility for childcare. The dynamic process of managing the tension between assigned norms and personal identity was studied through a comparative overview of how at-home fathers come to assume the primary responsibility of childcare, the norms they are confronted with in their daily interactions and the strategies used by these fathers to (re)construct a positive self-image. The fathers' increased involvement in childcare challenged masculine self-definitions and self-presentations in normative contexts where men's predominant involvement in paid work is privileged and childcare is largely defined as feminine. In response, Belgian fathers developed strategies and discourses that drew on a multiplicity of masculinities that appear in many cases to be both transgressive and yet complicit with hegemonic definitions of masculinity.In industrialised countries, professional and family life balance has long been considered a "women only" issue (Barrère-Maurisson, 1992; Hochschild, 2003). Women's growing presence in the labour market and the challenge posed by women's movements to the traditional male breadwinner/female caretaker model has made the articulation of paid work and family more acute. Concerns about paid work/family balance are heightened by ageing populations and decreasing birth rates, both of which affect social security systems in most Organisation for Economic and Cooperation Development (OECD) countries. In the Nordic countries, where gender equality policies date

Family Dynamics of the Stay-at-Home Father and Working Mother Relationship

“…Others believed it was the parents' job to be primary caregivers and worked to have an egalitarian approach in their family system (Merla, 2008). Some fathers expressed that they felt their work role prevented them from being the fathers they wanted to be (Merla, 2008).…”

“…The fathers in the study by Merla (2008) also shared they wanted to see their kids grow up and wanted to give their children a rich and solid relationship, which they felt was priority in the quality of life. Others believed it was the parents' job to be primary caregivers and worked to have an egalitarian approach in their family system (Merla, 2008).…”

“…The fathers identified their role at home not only as taking care of the children but also relieving their partner from the stress of trying to achieve a work-family balance (Merla, 2008).…”

“…The study by Merla (2008) gathered data from 21 Belgium stay-at-home fathers regarding their experience and then compared these data with studies of stay-athome fathers in Australia, Sweden, and the United States. Although these fathers reported a social backlash for their decisions, the fathers shared that they view themselves as individuals making decisions in the best interest of their family and are okay with not conforming to societal standards.…”

“…A study by Merla (2008) gathered data from 21 Belgium stay-at-home fathers. This study identified that the fathers faced scrutiny and ridicule from family members, friends, and outside professionals regarding their choice in nontraditional parenting roles.…”