Men's involvement in childbirth: implications for paternal identity

Abstract: This research analyses the first paternal experience of childbirth and its affects on how men experience themselves as fathers. The study adopts a moral and philosophical standpoint, to ensure that the experiences of other key stakeholders in the childbirth realm are considered. Qualitative data were collected from 24 participants who described their experiences of childbirth, in five focus groups. Participants were men whose first experience of childbirth occurred from as recently as one month to five years ago. Men's first experience of childbirth entails emotions that range from fear and anger to awe and amazement. The reason that this life experience constitutes an epiphany for men, is that it affects how they experience themselves as fathers. Important to men is the ability to biologically sire a child, and in particular a son, the need to create the child in men's own likeness and responsibility for financial provision and discipline of the child.

Submission note: A thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science (Research), School of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Public Health, La Trobe University.

Originally part of the Australasian Digital Theses (ADT) database.