Developing a Middle-Range Theory of Father Involvement Postdivorce

Abstract

The problem addressed in the article is why so many fathers remove themselves from their children's lives after divorce. The authors develop a theory that offers a partial explanation of this phenomena based on the potential for change in the salience of a man's identity as a father postdivorce. Propositions are developed and hypotheses are derived from symbolic interaction and identity theory. The authors define and interrelate the concepts of identity, saliency, commitment, and significant others to explain father presence or absence postdivorce across time. The theory further isolates a number of variables that are expected to moderate (strengthen or weaken) the relationship between father parenting-role identity and father involvement. Identifying modifiers enables the authors to stipulate why some fathers are more involved with their children following separation by explaining the conditions under which father identity becomes translated into a patterned set of behaviors.

Perceptions of fatherhood: Longitudinal reciprocal associations within the couple.

“…An individual's identity is generally expected to express or manifest itself through behaviours which are coherent with this identity (Stryker & Serpe, 1994). In the parental domain, Ihinger-Tallman, Pasley, & Buehler (1993) have argued that father involvement is determined by the subjective importance attributed by fathers to their parental status and roles. However, empirical tests of this hypothesis have yielded mixed support.…”

Exploring Fatherhood Diversity

“…Identity theory has been extended to address issues associated with men's paternal identity and involvement (Bruce & Fox, 1999;Futris & Pasley, 1997;Ihinger-Tallman, Pasley, & Buehler, 1995;Marsiglio, 1995b;1995c). This model emphasizes fathers' commitment to role identities that are negotiated within the context of structured role relationships.…”

Father Contact Following Union Dissolution for Low-Income Children in Urban South Africa

“…Union dissolution usually results in fathers physically moving away from their children making it difficult to maintain consistent contact (Amato & Gilbreth, 1998;Furstenberg, Morgan, & Allison, 1987). In addition, men experience a shift in their identities as fathers, particularly in relation to their roles and responsibilities toward their children, which makes it difficult to maintain a meaningful relationship with their nonresident children (Cherlin et al, 1991;Ihinger-Tallman, Pasley & Buehler, 1993). Research has shown that most unmarried and nonresident fathers do not maintain consistent contact with their children (Argys et al, 2007;Argys & Peters, 2001), though postdivorce fathers have been found to have higher levels of involvement than postcohabitation fathers (Laughlin, Farrie, & Fagan, 2009).…”