Fatherhood and Class

What is the traditional "male provider ideal" model of fatherhood?

It is the conception of a father as primarily an economic provider and authority figure for his children.

How did economic uncertainty in the early 20th century affect working-class fathers?

It eroded men’s confidence, undermined fatherly authority, led to increased child labor, and caused family instability.

What challenges did Black working-class fathers face in addition to economic difficulties?

They faced Jim Crow laws, political disenfranchisement, difficulty in land ownership, and institutional discrimination.

How has the cultural ideal of fatherhood shifted since the 1960s?

From a focus on providing authority to the “involved father” ideal, emphasizing emotional nurturing and active participation in child development. 

What percentage of children lived with single fathers as of 2022?

Approximately 4.6%

What role did women of color historically play in family structures under oppressive social conditions?

They often performed a “double day,” laboring both outside and inside the home to support families.

What impact did long working hours have on working-class fathers’ relationships with their children?

It limited the time fathers could spend with their children, weakening emotional bonds and increasing reliance on discipline and punishment.

How did child labor relate to family economic strategies in the early industrial period?

It was used as a survival mechanism and accepted as part of family labor, through it later had implications for child welfare. 

What is the significance of “paper sons” and “paper daughters” in the context of family and identity?

Immigrants who used false papers to claim citizenship often live in fear of exposure and experience psychological stress, affecting family assimilation.

How do economic constraints affect a working father’s self-worth and parenting role today?

Economic hardship can undermine a father’s identity and his ability to be present emotionally and physically for his children.