| Abstract [eng] |
Researches of fatherhood involving gender dimension, are still fragmentary in Lithuania. The aspect of masculinity in fatherhood researches is important, because it often explains fathering practices based on power relations between men and women in the family and the relationship nature of men with their children. Demographers observe family model changes from traditional to modern family in Lithuania since the restoration of Independence in 1990. An increasingly diverse family forms is one of the modern family attributes allowing a variety of fathering practices. The dissertation examines fathering experiences of men with different social status and diverse types of family as well as looks into the men’s conception of the father role. Objective of the thesis - to develop a grounded theory that would reveal interrelations of fathering and masculinity concepts and practices of men with children according to A. Strauss and J. Corbin (1996) Grounded theory version. The results are interpreted by means of theoretical assumptions - R. Connell (1987) theory of hegemonic masculinity, T. Coles (2008) interpretation of the mosaic masculinity, H. Novotny (1981) concept of emotional capital, L. Adkins (2004) and P. Bourdieu (1977) concepts of critical reflexivity. The results of Grounded theory reveal that the contemporary father is progressively enforced to be conscious in relations with the child and the mother. His awareness is stimulated both by external structural factors, such as education or work associated to the issues of education, available expert literature concerning children nurture, family crisis, partners' interest in educating children, parental leave for father; and internal motivation to be directly involved in a child-rearing. However, men’s awareness of their fathering practices do not necessarily change their perception of masculinity and femininity, therefore some men sustain while varied, still hierarchical relations with their children and children's mother. |
