The Experience of Gay Stay-at-Home Fathers (SAHFs)
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Authors
Bob, Jennifer M.
Issue Date
2018
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
“Gay Males","Gay Fathers","Stay-at-Home Fathers”,“Masculinity”,“Gender Role Strain","Qualitative Research"
Alternative Title
Abstract
More research has been conducted on SAHFs in response to the growing number of men assuming this role. This research has been focused on the experiences of heterosexual SAHFs, neglecting the experiences of non-heterosexually identified SAHFs. This qualitative content analysis highlights the narratives of gay SAHFs to correct the paucity of research on this existing population. Subjects included seven males who identified as gay and were between the ages of 43 to 65. These participants had between 1 to 3 children and had been SAHFS for at least five months. Participants responded to questions posed by the researcher via an individual semistructured interview, sharing their narratives around their experiences of this role. Conventional content analysis was used and 16 categories of content were identified. Some of the common categories were: range of reactions to gay SAHF role; financial stability; supportive partner; heterosexist gender role strain; experiences of gay SAHF role stigma and discrepancy strain. Despite identifying differently with regard to sexual orientation, many of the experiences reported by gay SAHFs were similar to those of heterosexual SAHFs . Data on both groups indicate that both gay and heterosexual SAHFs tend to embody more caring masculinities. That is, these groups of men engage in more expression of emotions, engagement in roles that involve caretaking, inter-reliance on and supporting others, and incorporate more traditionally feminine characteristics into their definition of masculinity. However, this research also highlighted the way in which gay SAHFS continue to be vulnerable to hegemonic masculine ideals and gender role strain, resulting in feelings of shame, inadequacy, and anxiety. This research supports the findings of multiple other studies that demonstrate the detrimental impacts of masculinity ideology and hegemonic masculine ideals. Clinical implications and areas for future research for this population are also discussed.