About the Project

The research project Fatherhood in Germany is conducted under the leadership of Professor Dr. Anja Steinbach (University of Duisburg-Essen) from 2025 to 2028 and is funded by the German Research Foundation  (DFG) gefördert. In collaboration with infas,

the Institute for Applied Social Sciences, a nationwide, representative online survey will be carried out, in which 5,000 men aged 25 to 55 will be surveyed. This will generate new insights into:

  • the well-being of men with and without children,
  • family relationships of men with and without children,
  • paternal involvement,
  • fathers’ self-conceptions, and
  • understandings of fatherhood among both fathers and men without children

across different family constellations.

Research Objectives

The project aims to address existing research gaps and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the lived realities of fathers in Germany. In doing so, it seeks to identify and better understand the factors that influence fathers’ well-being. It also examines how paternal involvement is fostered or constrained, how fathers shape their relationships with their children, and how fatherhood affects their personal identities.

All of these aspects are explored from fathers’ own perspectives and based on their personal experiences in the context of fatherhood. In addition, the perspectives of men without children are included in order to obtain a holistic and meaningful collection of views and experiences related to masculinity and fatherhood.

Key research questions include:

  • Which types of fathers exist across different family constellations?
  • How are fathers doing in different family forms?
  • How is paternal involvement shaped, and which factors influence it?

Research Methods

The study is based on a nationwide, representative online survey of approximately 5,000 men aged 25 to 55 in Germany. The sample includes both fathers and men without children, who are asked about their attitudes towards and aspirations regarding fatherhood.

The questionnaire is standardized and includes validated instruments measuring:

  • paternal involvement,
  • well-being,
  • role perceptions,
  • family relationships, and
  • societal and structural conditions.

The collected data enables both descriptive and advanced statistical analyses, therefore providing a nuanced picture of fatherhood from the perspective of men themselves.

What the Project Aims to Achieve

The project seeks to foster a better understanding of the diverse life situations of men with and without children in Germany, with a particular focus on men’s well-being.

By presenting the findings in a transparent and comprehensive manner, the results will be made accessible to a wide range of audiences. In this way, the project aims to provide a significant, evidence-based foundation for policymakers, researchers, and society to more effectively support fathers in their fatherhood and to promote family-friendly frameworks and conditions.