Indigenous fathers' involvement in reconstituting "circles of care".
This qualitative study, part of a Canadian national study of fathers' involvement, opened up First Nations and Métis fathering as a new area of inquiry. Conversational interviews with 80 Indigenous fathers illuminated the socio-historical conditions that have shaped Indigenous men's experiences of learning to be a father and becoming a man in the context of changing gender relationships and the regeneration of circles of care. Indigenous fathers' experiences unfold in a socio-historical context fraught with difficulties. However, the study findings suggest cultural strengths and sources of resilience unseen in research and community programs driven by Euro-western perspectives. This research can inform efforts to reduce systemic barriers and reconstitute positive father involvement following disrupted intergenerational transmission of fathering in Canada and elsewhere.
Ball
Jessica
J
School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. jball@uvic.ca
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003469:Culture; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D044382:Population Groups