Feminist Fathering/Fathering Feminists is a collection that
interrogates several things at once. First, we have had to struggle
with basic definitions. What is fathering practice, and who can be
a father? Fathering in all its guises is in the process of
transformation, as fathers are both more involved with their
families than before, but also still largely considered inferior to
mothers in most ways. And who is a father? At first glance this
seems simple, but of course it is not. Transgender fathers, lesbian
fathers, non-cishet fathers, nonbiological fathers, and fathers who
fulfill the role without legally adopting their children are all at
play in real families today. The expansion of fathers as involved,
nurturing parents can benefit families as a whole as well as the
individuals in the family, and could help lead us out of the gender
role inequality our society has not been able to overcome. The
realization that fathers can, do, and should provide carework in
their families and with their children, will help free everyone
from forced gender roles and the reproduction of traditional gender
roles. However, while active fathering should help mothers
ultimately have less of the burden of parenting, and while it most
certainly helps children and fathers themselves, it does run the
risk of reifying carework as feminized and private. If the work of
parenting is solely the individual's responsibility, then it will
always be undervalued instead of being given appropriate societal
supports for the important work that it is. For this reason,
feminist theory must be a part of the formula for fathers and
fathering practice that breaks out of patriarchal modes. While the
feminisms being utilized and discussed by our contributors are not
monolithic, we have given preference to intersectional feminism as
a way to untangle and enlighten our analysis of fathers. In this
collection we are committed to uncovering, analyzing, and
transforming oppressions where we find them; we are also interested
in the ways in which feminists, and feminist fathers in particular,
commit to undoing the Patriarchy in not only their own homes, but
in our shared communities and world. This is a tough job for all
parents, and one in which, as will be explored, perfection is not
possible. But in our imperfect ways, we, and the fathers we are,
study, and emulate, are working toward gender equality in and
through parenting practice. Each contributor, through either
personal explorations or popular culture/literary examinations of
fathers, is looking to define feminist fathering while showing us
examples of fathers who meet, exceed, or fall short of their hopes
and expectations. Several themes have emerged in the book, and one
of those themes is the possibility found in transgression. If we
look outside of the mainstream, to people bucking the status quo,
we will often have a better chance of finding models of feminist
fathering that should be held up and emulated. Examining these
examples of single fathers, queer fathers, people of color, and
people in the process of defining, redefining, and questioning
assumptions about fathering in their lives are people who will help
us to understand the possibilities for feminist fathering.
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