The sociology of fatherhood is a subbranch of sociology which studies gender role in society, with particular reference to the parental role of the father. Sociology (from Latin: socius, companion; and the suffix -ology, the study of, from Greek λόγος, lógos, knowledge [1]) is the scientific or systematic study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture[2]. Areas studied in sociology can range from the analysis of brief contacts between anonymous... A bagpiper in Scottish military clan-uniform. ... For other uses, see Parent (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Father (disambiguation). ...

According to anthropologist Maurice Godelier, a critical novelty in human society, compared to humans closest biological relatives (chimpanzees and bonobos), is the parental role assumed by the males, which were unaware of their "father" connection.^[1][2] Born in Cambrai, France in 1934, Maurice Godelier is one of the most influential names in French anthropology. ... Species Pan troglodytes Pan paniscus Chimpanzees, also called chimps, are the common name for two species in the genus Pan. ... For other uses, see Bonobo (disambiguation). ...

In many cultures, especially traditional western, a father is usually the husband in a married couple. Many times fathers have a very important role in raising offspring and the title can be given to a non-biological father that fills this role. This is common in stepfathers (male married to biological mother). In most family structures the father is both a biological parent and a primary caregiver. Matrimony redirects here. ... “Stepmom” redirects here. ...

In East Asian and Western traditional families, fathers are the heads of the families, which means that his duties include providing financial support and making critical decisions, some of which must be obeyed without question by the rest of the family members. This article is about the geographical region. ... Occident redirects here. ...

As with cultural concepts of family, the specifics of a father's role vary according to cultural folkways. In what some sociologists term the "bourgeois family", which arose out of typical 16th- and 17th-century European households and is often considered the "traditional Western" structure, the father's role has been somewhat limited. In this family model the father acts as the economic support and sometimes disciplinarian of the family, while the mother or other female relative oversees most of the childrearing. This structure is reflected, for example, in societies which legislate "maternity leave" but do not have a corresponding "paternity leave". This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Bourgeois at the end of the thirteenth century. ... For other uses, see Mother (disambiguation). ... Parental leave is the right to take time off work, paid or unpaid, to care for your child or make arrangements for your childs welfare. ... Parental leave is the right to take time off work, paid or unpaid, to care for your child or make arrangements for your childs welfare. ...

However, this limited role has increasingly been called into question. Both feminist and masculist authors have decried such predetermined roles as unjust. A nascent fathers' rights movement seeks to increase the legal standing of fathers in everything from child-custody cases to the institution of paid paternity leave or family leave. Feminism is a social theory and political movement primarily informed and motivated by the experience of women. ... Masculism (also referred to as masculinism) consists of social theories, political movements, and moral philosophies primarily based on the experiences of men. ... The Fathers rights movement can be seen as part of the mens movement and/or the parents movement, it emerged in the 1970s as a loose social movement providing a network of interest groups, primarily in western countries. ... Parental leave is the right to take time off work, paid or unpaid, to care for your child or make arrangements for your childs welfare. ... The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-3, enacted February 5, 1993) was one of the first major new laws enacted by United States President Bill Clinton in his first term, fulfilling a campaign promise. ...

Definition via the child

Dad, daddy, pop, papa, and pa are some common or familiar words for a father. Many times these terms denote affection or a paternal role in a child's life. The father may only be the biological parent: "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad."^{[citation needed]} As such, someone can be a father and not a dad, or a dad and not a father.

In the case of a stepfather, a child calling that person "dad" can indicate that the child has finally accepted him in the loving parental role. A similar example could be a child who lacked contact with his or her own father but became attached to another older male, such as a brother, grandfather, uncle, or close family friend, whom the person describes as "like a father to me".

Science of parenting

Described as the science of male parenting, the study of 'fathercraft' emerged principally in Britain and the USA (but also throughout Europe) in the 1920s. Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized...

The words "Da Da" and "Dad", usually regarded as terms of endearment directed towards a father figure, are generally the first words a child speaks. This does not reflect a stronger bond between the father and child than that of the mother and child, it is merely simpler to pronounce than "Mummy" or "Mum" which require greater control over the muscles controlling speech.^{[citation needed]} Bold text This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

See also

• Men's health
• Men's movement
• Men's studies
• Fathers' rights

Mens Health (MH), published by Rodale Press in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, USA, is the largest circulation mens lifestyle magazine in the world. ... The mens movement is a social movement that includes a number of philosophies and organizations that seek to support men, change the male gender role and improve mens rights in regard to marriage and child access and victims of domestic violence. ... Mens studies - also sometimes called masculinity studies - is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to topics concerning men, gender, and politics. ... The Fathers rights movement can be seen as part of the mens movement and/or the parents movement, it emerged in the 1970s as a loose social movement providing a network of interest groups, primarily in western countries. ...

References