Have you received a letter from us inviting you to take part in the study “Fatherhood in Germany”? On this page, you will find an overview of the most important questions and answers. Further details about the project, publications, and the project team can be found here.

I was contacted: Where did you get my address?

The invitation to participate in the survey is sent via the infas Institute for Applied Social Sciences. Contact details are obtained through a data protection–compliant sampling procedure and are used exclusively for the purpose of inviting individuals to take part in the study for scientific research purposes.

How is the survey conducted?

The survey is conducted online. To participate, you only need internet access and the invitation letter we sent you by mail.

How long does the survey take?

The survey takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

I do not have children. Should I still participate?

Yes. Your responses are highly valuable to this study. Your attitudes and perspectives on family and fatherhood, as well as your understanding of social roles, help us develop a comprehensive picture of men’s lived experiences in Germany.

Will I receive any compensation for taking part?

You will receive financial compensation for your participation. By taking part, you also make a valuable contribution to social science research and help advance knowledge about fatherhood in Germany.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

Feel free to contact us via email at vid@uni-due.de.

What does the abbreviation “ViD” stand for?

The abbreviation ViD stands for “Vaterschaft in Deutschland“, which means „Fatherhood in Germany.“

What happens to my information, and how secure is my data?

Your responses will be analyzed exclusively in anonymized form, ensuring that no conclusions can be drawn about your identity. We strictly adhere to the regulations of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). After completion of the study, the collected data will be stored without any personal identifiers in accordance with the principles of good scientific practice and may subsequently be used for further academic research and teaching purposes. All names and contact details will be deleted once the study has concluded. ViD will then inform policymakers and the public about the key findings. In this way, your participation can help support future social and political decision-making.

Is taking part in the study voluntary?

Yes, participation is voluntary. However, your opinion is very important to us and cannot simply be replaced by another. The study enables us to explore a wide range of topics related to fatherhood and well-being.

How often will I be surveyed?

ViD aims to explore men’s attitudes toward fatherhood and their well-being among men with and without children in Germany, as well as changes over time. For this reason, we would like to invite you to take part in a follow-up survey in the future to learn how your life circumstances and perspectives develop over time. We therefore kindly ask for your consent at the end of the survey to contact you again for a second round of data collection.

Wer ist infas?

The infas Institute for Applied Social Sciences is a private and independent social research institute based in Bonn. It conducts research and provides consultancy services for businesses, academia, and policymakers.

Founded in 1959, the institute currently employs over 150 researchers from a wide range of disciplines and is one of the largest empirical research organizations in Germany. Its clients include state and federal ministries, universities, public research institutes, municipal utilities, and private-sector organizations.

Further details about infas can be found on its Website.

Online Survey: I cannot access the questionnaire. What should I do?

The link to the study must be entered into the browser’s address bar, usually located at the top left. Some participants accidentally enter the link into the browser’s search field, which is often located at the top right, or into the search bar of a search engine website (such as Google or Bing) that is set as the homepage for many users. In both cases, search results will be displayed, but you will not be directed to our online survey.

I did not receive an invitation letter. Can I still participate?

Participation is only possible if you have received a personal invitation. Participants were selected at random. Therefore, unfortunately, it is not possible to take part without an invitation.