Cultural understandings of fathering and fatherhood in India: An exploration of lived experiences

Abstract

Conceptualization of fathers as an essential begetter survives within and through their relationship in family through ages. However, within and behind this word, a social-construct, the journey of fathers remains non-located in researches on parenting in India. Thus, this study aims to develop an indigenous conceptualization of fatherhood in the cultural realm of India from father’s and child’s perspective. Carried out in eight two-child families in Delhi, the study is done through semi-structured interviews with fathers and Draw and tell method with their elder child (7–11 years). Thematic analysis of both father’s and children’s narratives helped create seven themes within each. The themes from father’s narratives include multiple shades of “father”, ‘being a father’: a world within, learnings about ‘being a father’, father as enablers of child’s ‘becoming’, picturing ‘ideal’ fathers, cultural mountings and ‘cultures’ of fatherhood. The themes obtained from children’s narratives include father as a playtime partner, inspiring figure, mainstay, shield, involved, not-so-involved. Viewed holistically, this study holds implications for parenting practices and policy makers in positive direction.