Sveva Maria Magaraggia

Tensions between fatherhood and the social construction of masculinity in Italy

The article examines how fathers’ attempts to establish intimate relationships with their young children (0–3 years) bring to light tensions between prevailing models of fatherhood and hegemonic masculinity. The result of these contradictory negotiations is a complex redefinition of what it means to be a father today, whereby aspects of both past experiences and new social expectations are accepted and rejected. The article approaches gender as a relational concept and so incorporates the perspective of mothers. By way of biographical-narrative research conducted with Italian new fathers and new mothers, the article shows that some aspects of cultural models of masculinity can obstruct the process of building intimate relationships with young children because such relationships need to be grounded in precisely those aspects that dominant forms of masculinity repress: emotions, affectivity and physical closeness. However, the visceral contradictions between gendered social norms, individual desires and men’s discovery of the pleasures of care can entail the learning of a different embodiment, and so hold the potential for a transformation of intimacy in father–child relationships. The article reflects on whether new fathering practices can change the hierarchical relationships that mark the contemporary social construction of masculinity and femininity.

a snapshot of precariousness: voices, perspectives, dialogues

This collectively written article aims to offer a birds eye view of the Italian debates about precarity in employment and life, as captured in discussions among participants in a focus group held in Milan in 2006. The chief topics that emerged from this discussion include the feminization of labour, feminist practices and methodologies, representation/participation, and guaranteed income. Here, we give as much space as possible to the diverse voices of participants and their strategies for transformation.

“Double yes” but for whom? Gender Innovation in Italian Families

This paper analyses gender relations in Italy with an emphasis on work–life balance. Despite the fact that the expression ‘double yes’—meaning yes to participation in the labour market and yes to motherhood—has recently become a popular and optimistic thesis in several Italian public debates on women at work, realities are more complex. Discussions on the work–life balance enable us to better understand the full scope of labour relations by considering both the spheres of domestic and paid labour. Quantitative and qualitative data show that the issue of the work–life balance is still a critical question for many women in Italy. We explore the dilemmas young women face in their attempts to balance motherhood and paid work/careers. Drawing on national quantitative data sets and on original in-depth interviews, we contend that the ‘double yes’ solution not only does not take into account the restricted options available to many working women, but it also does not imply any cultural innovation in gender roles.

Teenage pregnancy: the making and unmaking of a problem (Health and society series)

For me, an old insider who graduated from Education Studies in 1998, this book has absolutely refreshed my previous interest in the worlds of children and young people. Although, as the editors note, ‘the book was produced for the Open University course, “Children and Young People’s Worlds: Frameworks for Integrated Practice”, which is part of the Masters course in Childhood and Youth’ (p. vi), I believe it offers more than this modest claim. This book can be a very helpful academic resource for students and senior scholars who are interested in the study of children, gender, law, sociology, anthropology, and education, as well for as policy makers and practitioners in state and non-governmental institutions.