“After Months of It, You Just Want to Punch Someone in the Face”: Stay-at-Home Fathers and Masculine Identities

Abstract

A new definition of fatherhood has emerged that prescribes more hands-on involvement from fathers, particularly with small children.In addition to this new approach to fathering, there is a small but growing number of stay-at-home fathers.Scholars know little about stay-at-home fathers in the U.S. as the majority of research has been conducted in other countries.As being a stay-at-home father is a deviation from an important tenant of hegemonic masculinity, one of breadwinning, what are the gender-related challenges these men face because of their roles?How do stay-at-home fathers respond to these challenges?I explore these questions in my study through in-depth interviews with stay-at-home fathers from across the United States.My study shows that a new definition of masculinity is emerging to support such men's engagement in family life.Keywords: stay-at-home fathers; gender; family roles, masculinity "I bundle up Moira and Kate And take them to ballet which is great And I sit and read a book in the hall And mothers do not talk to me at all.They sit down at their end and I at mine And they glance my way from time to time And those little glances really hurt."-"The Only Living House Dad in Eau Claire" by Garrison KeillorAs depicted in this song by Garrison Keillor, stay-at-home fathers are relatively uncommon despite an increased presence in mainstream TV shows like NBC's Parenthood or ABC's Up All Night and in TV commercials.Current estimates from the U.S. Census show stay-at-home fathers to number around 190,000 (U.S. Census, 2013).This is a substantial increase from 2002 when such

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