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Sociology of fatherhood

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The sociology of fatherhood is a subbranch of sociology which studies gender role in society, with particular reference to the parental role of the father.


In many cultures, especially traditional western, a father is usually the husband in a married couple. Many times fathers have a very important role in raising offspring and the title can be given to a non-biological father that fills this role. This is common in stepfathers (males married to biological mothers). In most family structures the father is both a biological parent and a primary caregiver.




Definition via the childEdit

Dad, daddy, pop, papa, and pa are some common or familiar words for a father. Many times these terms denote affection or a paternal role in a child's life. The father may only be the biological parent: "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad."[How to reference and link to summary or text] As such, someone can be a father and not a dad, or a dad and not a father.

In the case of a stepfather, a child calling that person "dad" can indicate that the child has accepted him in the loving parental role. A similar example could be a child who lacked contact with his or her own father but became attached to another older male, such as a brother, grandfather, uncle, or close family friend, whom the person describes as "like a father to me".

Science of parentingEdit

Described as the science of male parenting, the study of 'fathercraft' emerged principally in Britain and the USA (but also throughout Europe) in the 1920s.

The words "Da Da" and "Dad", usually regarded as terms of endearment directed towards a father figure, are generally the first words a child speaks. This does not reflect a stronger bond between the father and child than that of the mother and child, it is merely simpler to pronounce than "Mummy" or "Mum" which require greater control over the muscles controlling speech.[How to reference and link to summary or text]

See alsoEdit


  1. Maurice Godelier, Métamorphoses de la parenté, 2004
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