Allan Westerling

Fatherhood, gender equality and care practices in Italy and Denmark

A growing scientific literature suggests changes in fatherhood. However, the extent to which this indicates a shift away from male breadwinner model is under debate across Europe. Thus, it is interesting to reflect on how paternal practices and gender models are evolving. This contribution will address the debate about fatherhood and gender roles by comparing two countries, Italy and Denmark, marked by relevant differences in terms of policies and practices related to fatherhood and childcare. Yet both countries are still facing the work and family balance issue. The question addressed in the chapter, by reviewing policies and secondary data analysis, will be: How are current political agendas and welfare services aimed at changing care patterns and gender equality in family life, and how are these policies and provisions transforming fatherhood and fathering practices? How are these new practices challenging and challenged by traditional gender norms and practices? Which trends can be identified?

Doing good parenthood : ideals and practices of parental involvement

This edited collection shows that good parenthood is neither fixed nor stable. The contributors show how parenthood is equally done by men, women and children, in and through practices involving di ...

Doing Good Parenthood

This edited collection shows that good parenthood is neither fixed nor stable. The contributors show how parenthood is equally done by men, women and children, in and through practices involving di ...

Parenthood and We-ness in Everyday Life: Parenting Together Apart

This chapter explores narratives of sharing parental responsibility in everyday life among parents who do not live together. It is a social-psychological analysis of qualitative interview data focusing on family relations and social networks in everyday life in Denmark. The interview data stem from a large research project on the consequences of individualisation for social networks and family life. One of the dilemmas of post-divorce parenting comprises sharing parental responsibility while simultaneously separating from the other parent. Applying a case-based analysis, two interpretative frameworks of good parenthood is identified: devotion and symmetry. Moreover, it is discussed how these frameworks intersect with the conflict narrative of divorce. To further explore the meaning of good post-divorce parenting, a concept of we-ness is introduced in the context of divorce. The chapter concludes by arguing that post-divorce parenthood can be understood as reinventing the family (Beck-Gernsheim 2002) and re-constituting we-ness in novel ways.

Introduction: Doing Good Parenthood

The purpose of this book is to explore in ten empirical chapters how good parenthood is done in different contexts, by different agents. The introductory chapter outlines the theoretical implications of viewing parenthood as a series of practices and our interest in the enactment and negotiation of good parenthood. We argue that the doing of good parenthood should be studied empirically and in context. Therefore, the particularities of Denmark and Sweden as contexts are briefly introduced. Finally, we argue that parenthood is to be understood in relation to childhood, and the doing of good parenthood should be situated in relation to notions of children’s interests and rights. Therefore, the book is anchored in the research fields of both parenting studies and child studies.