Chinese Fatherhood, Gender and Family: Father Mission

Liong, Mario

This book is about how Chinese men make sense of and practise fatherhood within the context of changing gender conventions and socio-cultural conditions. Liong analyses data from participant observations at a men's centre, focus groups, and in-depth interviews, to assess the subjective experience and identities of Chinese fathers in Hong Kong, from a gender perspective. His findings show that economic provision, education, and marriage are the three "natural" and "normal" domains of paternity. Not being able to fulfil these requirements is a threat to fathers' masculinity, yet is also an opportunity for fathers to reflect upon these accepted conventions. In order to compensate, these men typically develop a closer and more caring relationship with their children, however these fathers still struggle with feelings of inferiority.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2020-11-04

Format: Paperback

ISBN-13: 9781349684250

DOI: 10.1057/978-1-137-44186-7

Dimensions: 210.0cm x148.0cm

Pages: 224.0