Publication Date

12-1-2010

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate fathers involvement in domestic labor among middle class, dual-worker families in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I argue that men's participation in domestic labor is affected by their parental identities. Three things influence parental identity: (1) demographics, including socioeconomic position, age, race/ethnicity, (2) religiosity, meaning ones adherence to religious values and participation in a formal religious institution (Wilcox 2002:781), and (3) parental ideology, denoting the belief structure surrounding what a parent ought to do. Demography and religiosity are themselves mediated by parental ideology, and in turn also further shape, parental ideology. Parental ideology directly influences parental identity. How an individual identifies as a parent determines his or her parental involvement in the family, including housework and childcare. I discuss how fathers' identities and the structural forces, such as family background, education, and employment, affect the division of household labor. Data from my ethnographic study indicate that although certain household tasks remain gender-specific, men are doing more household tasks, especially childcare, than previous research suggests. Importantly, both men and women emphasize being in a partnership, which enforces egalitarian ideals. There has been a shift in men's perception of the father role, with men strongly identifying as fathers and placing importance on this role. These changes are a consequence of a general shift in gender roles, towards a more egalitarian understanding. However, women of childbearing age are viewed as mothers\u2014over any other role\u2014 first, which assists in explaining why women appear to embrace more traditional gender roles than their husbands. I address how an individual's degree of religiosity influences their understanding of gender roles, and their enactment of those roles as 'parent.' Those with high degrees of religiosity that belong to a Conservative Christian group tend to be less egalitarian in parenting and their perception of the fatherhood role than other Christians. Mainstream Protestants are most similar to agnostics, and even Catholics with high religiosity are more egalitarian in their father role than Conservative Christians. I conclude by proposing a selection of policy recommendations in order to assist not just the dual-working middle-class father, but American families as a whole.'

Keywords

Gender, Families, Urban anthropology, Domestic labor, Religiosity, Middle class, Fathers as parents

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Anthropology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Anthropology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Lamphere, Louise

Second Committee Member

Brulotte, Ronda

Third Committee Member

Hossain, Zia

Fourth Committee Member

Tiano, Susan B.

Download

Included in

Anthropology Commons

Share

COinS