Sarah George - Department of Reproductive Health
Family planning services in the United States lean heavily toward women, a justification often rooted in the premise of women's childbirth experiences and their access to more effective birth control methods. In the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a group of researchers sought to investigate the intricacies of fatherhood. They conducted semistructured interviews, weaving narratives from the lives of 58 men, spanning both low-income Black and White communities. This study found that amongst low-income men in Western Pennsylvania, there is a strong connection between the readiness to become a father and the confidence in being an effective parent. Interestingly, this connection is gendered, as these men feel a greater expectation, compared to their female partners, to shoulder the primary responsibility of financially providing for their children. The study reveals that these men tend to embrace the traditional idea of a father as the primary provider ("breadwinner"). However, they face hurdles in fulfilling this role, leading to a mismatch between their intentions of becoming fathers and their actual behaviors.
The findings suggest that services addressing family planning, financial planning or assistance, and initiatives encouraging men to reconsider traditional gender roles could be blended into meaningful support for low-income men. The study identifies how a holistic approach is needed to offer more comprehensive assistance to low-income fathers, recognizing that successful fathering encompasses a broader spectrum of responsibilities. For example, men can champion and inspire their partners and peers to embrace family planning. The active engagement of men becomes pivotal, playing a crucial role in fostering a shared responsibility for birth control and contraceptive practices.
References:
Hamm M, Miller E, Jackson Foster L, Browne M, Borrero S. "The Financial Is the Main Issue, It's Not Even the Child": Exploring the Role of Finances in Men's Concepts of Fatherhood and Fertility Intention. Am J Mens Health. 2018 Jul;12(4):1074-1083. doi: 10.1177/1557988318775189.
Edited By: Firas Batrash, Editor-in-Chief
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