Who are the "new" fathers? The changing role of fathers in the family and family policy

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Family and family law through the ages.
  • 2.1 The development of the father role within the family since the end of the 18th century
  • 2.2 The development of family law for the family
• 3 The new modern' Fathers in the 21st century.
• 4 The Diversity of the Father Role - Typing Approaches in Family Research
  • 4.1 The role of the father in the family after Fthenakis/Minsel (2002)
  • 4.2 MannsBilder - A Decade of Men's Development after Zulehner (2003)
  • 4.3 Fatherhood from the point of view of fathers – Subjective paternity concepts according to Matzner (2004)
  • 4.4 New fathers - different children? Fatherhood, family triad and socialization after Bambey/Gumbinger (2006)
  • 4.5 Summary
• 5 Obstacles and difficulties for committed fatherhood.
  • 5.1 Family income
  • 5.2 Mothers
  • 5.3 Working environment and expectations
  • 5.4 The insecurity of fathers
• 6 Father's work in social work.
  • 6.1 Professionalism in fathers' work
  • 6.2 Approaches of Father's Work in Social Work
• 7 Fathers in family policy
• 8 Conclusion and outlook

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This bachelor thesis investigates the changing role of fathers in contemporary society, exploring the historical development of fatherhood and the emergence of the "new" father. It examines the impact of social and legal changes on the father's role within the family and analyzes various approaches to understanding fatherhood in contemporary research. The thesis also addresses obstacles and difficulties faced by fathers in fulfilling their roles and explores the implications for social work and family policy.

• The historical evolution of the father role within the family.
• The impact of changing family law on fatherhood.
• The rise of the "new" father in the 21st century and contemporary models of fatherhood.
• Challenges and obstacles faced by fathers in committed fatherhood.
• The role of social work and family policy in supporting fathers.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter 1 introduces the concept of the "new" father and provides context for the evolving role of fathers in contemporary society. The chapter highlights the increasing visibility of fathers in the public sphere, media, and family research.

Chapter 2 examines the historical development of the father role within the family and the parallel evolution of family law. It traces the changes in fatherhood from the late 18th century to the present, emphasizing the shifts in societal norms and legal frameworks that have shaped paternal roles.

Chapter 3 focuses on the contemporary manifestation of the "new" father in the 21st century. It explores the various approaches used in family research to categorize and understand diverse fatherhood types, providing insights into the changing nature of paternal roles and responsibilities in modern families.

Chapter 4 delves into the complexities of committed fatherhood, highlighting the challenges and obstacles that fathers may encounter in fulfilling their roles. It explores factors such as family income, the influence of mothers, working environments, and the insecurity faced by fathers.

Chapter 5 investigates the role of social work in supporting fathers. It examines the professionalization of father's work and various approaches employed by social work practitioners to assist fathers in navigating the challenges and complexities of their roles.

Chapter 6 provides an overview of family policy and its focus on fathers. It examines how family policy initiatives aim to support and empower fathers in their roles within the family.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis explores key concepts related to fatherhood, family law, and social work, including: fatherhood, father role, family law, new father, family policy, social work, committed fatherhood, obstacles to fatherhood, father's work, and family research.