Leisure and Fatherhood in Dual‐Earner Families

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between fatherhood in the context of dual-earner families in the UK. A gender constructivist theoretical framework is first described then applied to data gathered from interviews with 14 dual-employed couples with dependent children. Leisure is revealed as a key component of men's role as fathers that sits alongside the much-discussed notion of breadwinning. The structure, nature and meaning of leisure is shown to be crucially altered by the onset of parenthood. While leisure still retains meanings of autonomy and personal pursuit, it becomes a context for parenting during childrearing. The discourse of 'leisure-based parenting' contrasts sharply with mothers' discussions of both parenting and leisure. Data from interviews with both partners are used to highlight the different 'hierarchies' of employment, family and leisure that co-exist within families. The paper also outlines the interactions between mothers' and fathers' experience of (paid and unpaid) work, family life and leisure that act to construct and reconstruct gendered lifecourse trajectories. The impact of each partner's leisure orientations on the behaviour of the other is presented as an example of the way gendered leisure mediates the lifestyles of fathers, mothers and families.

Family Leisure and Changing Ideologies of Parenthood

“…A greater proportion of men's time with children is ‘family time’, in that the mother is also present (Silver 2000): that is, fathers put in considerably less time compared to mothers when they are fully responsible for the care of their child or children. Furthermore, according to Such (2006), fathers are more likely to think of their family time as ‘being with’ their children and enjoying the time together. Mothers, on the other hand, tend to be focused more on ‘being there’ for their children and being ready to respond to their children's needs (Such 2006).…”

“…Furthermore, according to Such (2006), fathers are more likely to think of their family time as ‘being with’ their children and enjoying the time together. Mothers, on the other hand, tend to be focused more on ‘being there’ for their children and being ready to respond to their children's needs (Such 2006).…”

“…According to Coakley (2006), the involvement of fathers with their children is particularly evident in the sporting context, including informal sporting activities as well as organized youth sports. Other researchers, too, have commented on sports and leisure as an important site for fathering (Kay, 2007), and as a context within which father–child relationships and connections can potentially be nurtured and enhanced (Harrington 2006; Such 2006). Thus, family leisure may be one area of family life where new fathering roles are enacted and where changes in the meanings and experiences of parenthood are evident for fathers as well as for mothers.…”

The Importance of Fatherhood to U.S. Married and Cohabiting Men

“…Men tend to have more time for leisure pursuits compared to their female partners, and the leisure gap between men and women increases when they become parents (McGinnis, Chun, & McQuillan, 2003). While more men are becoming more directly involved in their children's lives, much of this increased involvement is due to men's greater participation in leisure activities with their children, especially children's sports (Such, 2006), and men typically prefer engaging in play rather than other caregiving activities (Barclay & Lupton, 1999). Additionally, much of the leisure time fathers spend with children is in the company of mothers, who are presumably at least assisting with supervision and caretaking (Shaw, 2008).…”

The Association Between Family Leisure and Family Quality of Life: A Meta‐Analysis of Data from Parents and Adolescents

“…Shaw and Dawson (2001) also described social contexts and interactions that shaped obligations and motivations for family leisure participation, and referred to family leisure as purposive or goal‐oriented in nature. Other scholars have examined gendered experiences of family leisure (Henderson, , ; Shaw, ), socially conspicuous construction of family leisure meanings and family roles (Trussell & Shaw, ), and social ideologies underlying family leisure (Coakley, ; Jenkins, ; Such, )—all of which have implications for the overall satisfaction with family leisure participation. Therefore, family leisure satisfaction was conceptualized as satisfaction with frequency or duration of shared family leisure.…”