Life course theory is a unique and critical approach to our emerging understanding of fathering over the next century. To understand contemporary fathering is to pay close attention to personal and social change in men's lives. Equipped with a theory that links history, social structures, and individual lives, we might clarify some of the ambiguity and confusion surrounding contemporary men's roles in families. I review previous research on fathering over the life course and assess the strengths and limitations of such research. I reexamine 5 themes that were presented 2 decades ago in order to translate life course insights into family science (Bengtson & Allen, 1993). I integrate my own research on low‐income fathers and families into these themes. Finally, I offer some insights for advances in fathering scholarship through life course theory.
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