The price of love: the prioritisation of childcare and income earning among UK fathers

Gatrell, Caroline J ORCID: 0000-0003-3134-3252, Burnett, Simon B, Cooper, Cary L and Sparrow, Paul (2015) The price of love: the prioritisation of childcare and income earning among UK fathers FAMILIES RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIETIES, 4 (2). pp. 225-238. ISSN 2046-7435, 2046-7443

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Abstract

Shifting perspectives on how fathers 'should' practice childcare responsibilities, combined with changing household income patterns, indicate that balancing childcare and breadwinning is complicated for contemporary fathers. Drawing on qualitative discussions with 100 employed fathers in the United Kingdom (UK) and using notions of breadwinner (income-earning) and involved (hands-on) fathering as an analytical framework, this study examines how employed, married/ cohabiting and lone UK fathers interpret paternity. It finds that breadwinning remains important for many fathers. However, there is a tendency among some men to prioritise childcare over paid work. The study therefore discerns patterns of continuity and change among contemporary fathers in their practices of childcaring and income earning. The study concludes that further research is needed, especially concerning lone fathers with resident children, who may be more involved with childcaring than is presently acknowledged.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	fathers, work-life balance, breadwinning, involved fathering, lone fathers
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	19 Oct 2016 13:37
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 05:14
DOI:	10.1332/204674315X14321355649771
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3003857
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