| Abstract [eng] |
This work analyzes the representation of modern fatherhood in personal blogging sites. The topic examines discourses of masculinity and fatherhood, emerging hybrid scripts in dads’ blogs. There is a scientific disagreement over how to interpret dads’ blogging practices. On one side, dad bloggers are usually associated with the “new” model of fatherhood, which includes greater involvement in children's lives, and caring practices. On the other hand, the “new” father (sensitive, caring, sexually attractive) also shows the signs of “old” (material provider, moral teacher) fatherhood. The combination of these traits defines the hybrid model of fatherhood. The paper aims to analyze the representation of fatherhood in blogs, highlighting features of the hybrid model and fathers’ sexualization. The theoretical parts of the work discuss transformations of masculinity and fatherhood. The difference between hegemonic, “new”, and hybrid masculinity is examined. The investigation is made of how the patriarchal model is supplemented by the concepts of “new” and hybrid father. Additionally, the visual media representation of hybrid fathers is introduced. The object of the research was analyzed by two methods: qualitative analysis of blogs’ content and visual photo–elicitation method. According to the theoretical ideas of E. Goffman, the following ideas are analyzed: the role of blogging sites in the transformation of fatherhood, frames of fatherhood and masculinity in blog posts and photographs of fathers, the role of the audience in constructing modern fatherhood. Results from data indicate that the representations of dad bloggers can be characterized by hybrid fatherhood and hybrid masculinity. Dad bloggers adopt traits associated with women and perform practices traditionally attributed to motherhood. These types of fathers are considered to be "super dads" and their childcare practices are sexualized (pushing a pram, walking in the park with a child). At the same time, dad bloggers continue to follow the scripts of hegemonic masculinity: fathers seek to perform the role of a family breadwinner, remain "masculine" and distance themselves from motherhood. New constructs of fatherhood maintain scripts of hegemonic masculinity in new and less noticeable ways. |
