A psychological analysis of how mothers construct fathers’ roles in childrearing and childcare

‘For me, the children come first’: A discursive psychological analysis of how mothers construct fathers’ roles in childrearing and childcare

From Feminism & Psychology 

Previous western studies have shown the division of domestic childcare work between fathers and mothers to be unequal but not always constructed as unfair. This study recognizes that gendered division of domestic labour persists. The paradox at the heart of this issue is that while both men and women support the idea of equality, they often see the unequal division of labour in their own household as fair.  In the cultural context in which this study is situated (educated, dual-career families in London), men have greater involvement in childcare than before, and most mothers go out to work; however the participants’ discussion around childrearing and childcare reflects some heavily gendered discourses available in society, discourses that help trap women in their existing condition. This study highlights the language mechanisms by which meanings are created, conveyed and negotiated. It represents a glimpse into the wealth of insight that discursive psychology has to offer on gendered power relations and inequality.

 

 

Abstract

Previous western studies have shown the division of domestic childcare work between fathers and mothers to be unequal but not always constructed as unfair. Following Dixon and Wetherell’s (2004) suggestion of applying a critical discursive psychology approach to the topic, I aimed to discover some of the discourses available to professional English women when constructing the contributions of the father at home. These included the ‘selfless mother’, the ‘shirking father’, ‘the father restores the “gender order”’ and the ‘high-status mother’. Findings suggest a possible application for discursive research, in raising women’s awareness of the potential for their discourses to perpetuate inequality.

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Article details
Daniela Petrassi (2012). ‘For me, the children come first’: A discursive psychological analysis of how mothers construct fathers’ roles in childrearing and childcare Feminism & Psychology : 10.1177/0959353512442928

Tags: child, discourse, father, feminist, gender, mother, parent