Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance
The Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance (CCIG) is a University designated Centre of Research Excellence
Parenthood
The mother-father model of the ‘nuclear family’ is no longer the norm as step-parent families, same-sex parent families and single parent households are increasing in number. Many people, organisations and institutions may now contribute to the health and wellbeing of children through networks of kin, education and childcare support; most families, however, still comprise a mother and/or a father who are responsible for childrearing and who identify with the role of mother, father or parent.
People involved in work in the parenthood theme include: Brid Featherstone, Rose Capdevila, Megan Doolittle, Ellie Jupp, Jacqui Gabb, Jane McCarthy, Abi Rowe, Wendy Hollway.
Alongside and including individual research interests, there is currently one overall project in this theme.
Fragile Fathering: negotiating intimacy and risk in parenting practice
Investigators: Brid Featherstone (Professor, OU Faculty of Health & Social Care), Jacqui Gabb (Senior Lecturer, OU Faculty of Social Sciences), Esther Dermott (University of Bristol)
In this AHRC-funded pilot study (SG110454) we are examining how ‘fragile fathers’ experience parenthood and the ways that paternal experience is shaped by ideas of risk. Through case study and comparative analysis of data from two sets of fathers we will interrogate: how these fathers understand risks in relation to intimacy, sexuality and the body; the significance of popular media debates in shaping father-child interactions; the differential impact of social policies and legislation on paternal practices in particular contexts.
Building upon the British Academy project on fragile fathers (2012-2013), a larger project is being developed to explore how fragile fathers in a range of situations do intimacy within differing understandings of risky situations and practices. One important strand will concern those fathers who come to the attention of child protection services. This will build upon long-standing work of Brid Featherstone in this area (eg, Fathers Matter research projects led by the Family Rights Group from 2004-2010 with government funding).