Fathers in Germany
What We Know About Fathers – and What We Don’t
Despite its social relevance, fatherhood remains an under-researched topic. Existing research primarily focuses on traditional nuclear families with biological fathers and often relies on reports provided by mothers or children. Other family constellations, such as separated families, stepfamilies, or foster families, are rarely considered. Similarly, fathers’ well-being, their experiences and self-perceptions of fatherhood, as well as broader attitudes toward fatherhood among both fathers and men without children, have so far received little scholarly attention.
For instance, research shows that an increasing number of fathers take parental leave and receive parental benefits [1]. However, it remains largely unclear how this shift affects the social acceptance of fathers on parental leave, their well-being, and other related aspects.
This is where the project comes in: it aims to provide robust, evidence-based information to improve our understanding of the diversity of fatherhood.
[1] BMBFSFJ (12.07.2024): Väterbeteiligung beim Elterngeld erreicht neuen Höchstwert - BMBFSFJ[Fathers‘ participation in parental benefit reaches a new record high].
Social Norms and Scientific Concepts
Fathers are confronted with diverse social expectations. Societal ideas about what it means to be a father evolve over time and are strongly shaped by broader social developments. These ideas depend on prevailing social norms, values, and guiding principles. Whereas the traditional ideal of fatherhood often corresponded to the model of the male sole breadwinner, contemporary concepts of fatherhood are more diverse and increasingly influenced by key social developments such as gender equality, care, and shared parenting. This clearly demonstrates that changing images of fatherhood are not merely the result of individual attitudinal change, but can rather be understood as outcomes of broader social and political processes.
In academic research, the image of fatherhood and its transformation also represent central topics of inquiry. For instance, these developments are addressed in sociological concepts such as “caring masculinities”, emphasizes a caring father role in which caregiving is increasingly associated with masculinity. However, important aspects, such as fathers’ well-being, are often overlooked.
In practice, many fathers encounter significant barriers, including professional demands, limited work–family balance due to long working hours and a lack of opportunities for reducing working time, as well as structural constraints. Additionally, anticipated negative reactions within the workplace and potential career disadvantages may influence both fathers’ well-being and the way they individually shape their fatherhood.
This clearly illustrates that fatherhood is not only a personal endeavor, but also a socially embedded task. The diversity of fatherhood requires social and political frameworks that enable and support it.