The Awkward Spaces of Fathering (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780754670056)

Societal notions of fathers have evolved from the distant breadwinner through genial dad and masculine role model to today's equal co-parent. This book seeks to explore the spaces and movements of men-as-fathers. Weaving together theories of space, sexuality and political identity with the stories of fathers from a range of sources, including popular culture, it discusses the way in which geographies of space can disconnect and disempower fathers, while societal notions marginalize and disassociate them from raising children. It explores how fathering identities are shaped by family and community spaces and aims to move the definition of 'fathering' beyond its definition in opposition to 'mothering'. In doing so, it provides insights into the contradictory nature of father's lives and argues that, rather than moving away from the traditional notions of masculine roles, that the emotional work of fathering in itself is an heroic act.

Author: Stuart C. Aitken
ISBN-10: 0754670058
ISBN-13: 9780754670056
Publisher: Routledge
Language: English
Published: 04/14/2009
Pages: 268
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.22lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.63d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 10/01/2009
Reference and Research Bk News 08/01/2009 pg. 137