How young, disadvantaged fathers are affected by socioeconomic and relational barriers

A UK-based qualitative study

Bibliographic Data

ID21213841
AuthorsL Donald (0000-0003-2289-7747, University of Bedfordshire, corresponding author), Robert Davidson (0000-0002-0010-4809, University of Bedfordshire), Rosemary Davidson (University of Bedfordshire), Suzanne Murphy (0000-0001-9246-7756, University of Bedfordshire), Ashley Hadley (0000-0002-1489-9825, University of Bedfordshire), Alison Hadley (University of Bedfordshire), Shuby Puthussery (0000-0002-1865-9546, University of Bedfordshire), Gurch Randhawa (0000-0002-2289-5859, University of Bedfordshire)
Year2022
Volume11
Issue3
Pages447-464
Publication date2022-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueFamilies Relationships and Societies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2046-7435 • E-ISSN: 2046-7443
PublisherBristol University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1332/204674321x16321468785082
OpenAlexW3212192785
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited34

This article is based on the interviews of nine young, socially disadvantaged fathers from the UK. Young fathers are more likely to experience socioeconomic deprivation and disrupted pathways towards parenthood, which affect their participation in socially accepted trajectories of ‘father involvement’. Whilst this has received some attention in research, studies have largely neglected to examine the lived experiences of such fathers directly. The current article aims to address this gap, building upon the limited body of research that exists exploring the impact of socioeconomic and relational barriers on father involvement. In this study, three interrelated themes demonstrate the cyclical nature of generational disadvantage, reduced socioeconomic circumstances and disrupted relationships, providing a different perspective on the decreased levels of involvement exhibited by young fathers in prior research. The findings also enlighten our understanding of how these fathers can be better supported in policy and practice, thereby contributing to current academic debate

Developmental psychology · Disadvantage · Disadvantaged · Political science · Population · Qualitative research · Social science · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access