Custody abductions and filicides-suicides are not every day occurrences and typically become ‘media events’. Through an analysis of newspaper representations of two custody abductions and one filicide-suicide, this article examines the role played by fathers’ rights discourse in the construction of the separated father in each case. It argues that fathers’ rights discourse played a...

Fathers who take paternity or parental leave are more likely to perform tasks such as feeding and bathing children, this report shows.

Executive summary Father and child relationships have profound and wide-ranging impacts on children that last a lifetime. Many men will become fathers at some point in their lives, and almost all have some connection to children. Major changes in both the workplace and households are bringing changes to men’s participation as caregivers. Yet, men’s involvement...

Men in antenatal classes give three common reasons why they intend to father differently than they were fathered: community expectations, partner pressure, and their own wish for connection with their child. 1. Community expectations: highlight the fact that fathers are expected to be involved in the day-to-day care of their baby, not simply to be...

Researchers have traditionally paid little attention to the intersections between men’s mental illness and family life. Recently, however, this has been changing. This paper provides practitioners and policy-makers with a broad overview of some of the key issues identified in the growing literature on paternal mental illness. Key messages Compared to many other life stages...