Every one of these research studies about stay-at-home dads sounds exactly the same. Same questions, same assumptions, same goals. Do any of these researchers do any searches on the body of knowledge already available (something which is typically done by a researcher before doing any new research)? It just seems to me like all of these researchers keep rehashing the same old stuff.

- Randy

********** GO GATORS! **********

I'll bite, but the first "inappropriate" question that puts us SAHD in an unflattering light, I'm out...
Plus it might be a chance to ask him some questions about the reasoning behind his research. This can't be any worse than the "Beer Survey" I took a few months ago, can it?

Aye, there's nary an animal alive that can outrun a greased scotsman...

Just by the mere fact that the time it takes to complete the survey is 1-2 hours, and that there is no incentive for participation, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this survey will be essentially worthless with a small sample size.

All these studies are geared towards the men, I wonder if any has been done on the wives? My wife has suffered way more grief from co-workers than I ever have at a playgroup. I guess you can't have any "funny" images of a man vacuuming or changing a diaper that way.

I'm Not a Slacker

We should do a research study on all the studies the various people asked us to do, get some definitive answers, post them, close the door on further requests, then point them to our answers. They all think they are thinking outside the box by researching us, strange thing is, every three months another survey request appears!

Ethnography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ethnography is the genre of writing that presents varying degrees of qualitative and quantitative descriptions of human social phenomena, based on fieldwork. Ethnography presents the results of a holistic research method founded on the idea that a system's properties cannot necessarily be accurately understood independently of each other. The genre has both formal and historical connections to travel writing and colonial office reports. Several academic traditions, in particular the constructivist and relativist paradigms, claim ethnographic research as a valid research method.

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I agree that the studies can be a bit silly at times. For every one of these that I post, there are about 5 others that I don't. I think this one is better than most. I have no affiliation with the researcher but, in his defense, he did review the existing literature. Secondly, I'd suspect that the reason there's no "incentive" is because there's no funding - he's basically doing it on his own accord.

This effort is quite a bit more solid than the usual "I'm an undergrad doing a thesis" requests that come along. For those who are interested, here is the formal literature review from the research application (which I asked for before posting the request):

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Literature Review

There are three bodies of research that are relevant to the study of stay-at-home fathers. These include empirical studies on stay-at-home fathers, privileged groups, and gender and family.

Stay-at-Home Fathers

The literature on stay-at-home fathers has existed for at least twenty-five years but has been infrequent and largely anecdotal. Despite the lack of research on stay-at-home fathers, the literature suggests that there are negative cultural perceptions of stay-at-home fathers and positive but complex experiences of stay-at-home fathers with gender identity and family (Brescoll & Uhlmann 2005; Wentwork & Chell 2001; Doucet 2004, 2006; Tucker 2005; Wheelock 1990; Beer 1982).

For instance, in Brescoll & Uhlmann’s (2005) research, they argue that stay-at-home fathers are interpreted more negatively than the traditional roles of mothers and fathers. They also document that their respondents believe stay-at-home fathers are seen negatively in society. The most comprehensive empirical study of stay-at-home fathers has been done by Canadian sociologist Andrea Doucet (2004, 2006). She makes the case that stay-at-home fathers find their experiences with this non-traditional role rewarding but also note their struggle with gender identity. In particular, stay-at-home fathers often define their masculinity through domestic tasks often associated with men, such as automobile work and community work like coaching. This allows stay-at-home fathers to remain connected to masculinity. At the same, stay-at-home fathers also find themselves being more critical of traditional definitions of masculinity under industrial capitalism, which sees masculinity as defined through work outside the home.

Doucet’s (2004, 2006) research appears to be the most thorough study on stay-at-home fathers to date, but the question becomes whether or not US stay-at-home fathers have similar concerns. Also, my interest in the identity formation of stay-at-home fathers is also rooted in broader questions about privilege, power, and identity in the post-Civil Rights era in the United States. This is something Doucet’s (2004, 2006) does not address. The questions of privilege, power, and identity come from research on whiteness and the sociology of gender and family.

White Masculinities & Privilege

Empirical research has documented the invisibility and periodic visibility of whiteness in the post-Civil Rights era (Bonilla-Silva 2001; Farough 2003, 2004, 2006a; 2006b; Feagin & Vera 1995; Frankenberg 1993; Hartigan 1999; Perry 2001, 2002). The literature on gender, too, has noted the invisible aspects of masculine identity (Kimmel 1995, 1997). The invisible aspect of racial and gender identity formation is seen as largely an outcome of a privileged position in the social structure. However, more recent ethnographic work has demonstrated that the invisibility of whiteness to whites is not a constant experience (Hartigan 1999; Perry 2002 Farough 2003, 2004, 2006a, 2006b). Depending on the context, whiteness becomes visible to whites and raises existential questions about the relationship between personal biography and being structurally advantaged. Because more recent research on white privilege has documented contexts where whiteness becomes invisible and visible, it has helped scholars understand how privilege and power are enacted across time and space. It has also helped in comprehending the contexts where privilege is limited and where it works seamlessly. Thus, the literature on whiteness and privilege has led me to be interested in those who opt out of traditional areas of masculine privilege. By studying stay-at-home fathers, I hope to better understand what happens to men who take a path that does not enable them to gain power and resources. As such studying stay-at-home fathers continues my project of studying questions of privilege, identity, and power.

Sociology of Gender and Family

The third literature addresses the relationship between gender and the family. Over the past fifty years, there has been substantial change in the dominant structure of the American family, moving from a single-income nuclear family prevalent from the time of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century to a largely two-income family where both parents work today (Coontz 2000). The result of the changing structure of the American family, as well as the shifting structure of family in other societies, has led sociologists to see the family as a social institution that varies in its structure across history and culture.

However there is debate in the research on whether there is an ideal family structure for children and society. Some research argues that children ultimately do best in a traditional family structure where the father works and the mother cares for children (Popenoe 1996; Blackenhorn 1995). This perspective also argues that society is most healthy when the traditional family structure is maintained. Other research suggests that either there is no correlation between child well-being and family structure (Artis 2007; Brown 2004) or that economic resources and parenting competence are stronger explanatory factors than traditional parenting gender roles (Fomby & Cherlin 2007; Hofferth 2006; Moore& Vandivere 2006; Berger 2004; Lamb & Manning 2003; Sun 2003). Research on martial quality also supports that case for parenting competence over traditional parenting gender roles (Mechanic & Hansell 1989). In addition, research on gay families and child well-being also demonstrates that children do well in gay families, which is a family structure that is substantial different from traditional nuclear families (Stacey & Blibarz 2001). Taken together these literatures challenge the traditional family argument and suggest that family well being can exist successfully in a variety of arrangements.

With the changes in the structure of the American family, I see studying the identity formation of stay-at-home dads as rooted in these three literatures. The study of stay-at-home fathers also stands contribute to these literatures in important ways. First, my research on the identity formation of stay-at-home fathers will provide the literature on at-home fathers a much needed update, and, hopefully, a more detailed portrait of how stay-at-home fathers think about and experience their gender identity. Second, my research will provide more to the literature on privilege by studying a group of people who are no longer participating in institutions that have traditionally benefited them. Third, my study of at-home fathers will contribute to research on family structure by offering tentative conclusions as to how well men do in a family structure that is the inverse of the nuclear family—mothers who work outside the home and fathers who care for children and manage household tasks.

It does sound interesting but I cannot think of a time where I would have two free hours to sit and talk on the phone.

I'm Not a Slacker

After a couple of Emails with the good doctor, I agreed to be a lab rat, monkey behind glass, (a test subject), whatever... I did not want to speak for all AHD's (so I didn't) but I did ask a few pointed questions about what he was expecting to do with his research and that most SAHD's just want to be treated fairly and without any obvious predjudice or stereotypes. He assured me that this was in no way going to be a marketing survey or some kind of report on the novelty of Daddies, but actual science!! (Wheeee...science!!!) After reading the descriptions that Mike has posted about his research, I'm definately comfortable with going forward. I'll talk to him on Oct 1st (with Thomas Dolby in the background) and report back the next day.

Aye, there's nary an animal alive that can outrun a greased scotsman...

He's a professor, at a college. It's qualitative rather than poorly written (in most cases) multiple "choice" surveys.

We have to remember than although we've done this for months, years, perhaps decades, we're still a REALLY small percentage of the population. Shouldn't we be happy that people are interested in us in an academic way? Better this than Geraldo Rivera.

Josh

SAHD Since August 2005

he's a college professor on sabbatical and was home himself for seven months on paternity leave after the birth of his child so he's aware of what it means to be the dad caregiver.

By email, I presume? I haven't heard back from him yet.

Josh

SAHD Since August 2005

but his office phone number is listed right up there ^^

But I called it and the woman responded with, "he's on sabbatical" and gave me nothing else...he emailed me today so it's all good.

Thanks Greg.

Josh

SAHD Since August 2005

As promised, here is my response to taking part in the good doctors research project. I spoke with him for about 1.5 hrs at great length about different aspects about being an @home parent and not once did I feel that our conversation was a pointless exercise. He basically was interested in some of the emotional and sociological responses that I've encountered in the past 2.5 years of being the dad. Also, he was just trying to get a handle on some of the reasons behind "cool Dads", such as us, came into this line of work. I must say that it was quite liberating to talk to someone who was really interested in what I had to say about the subject of @SAHD's. You guys may or may not be interested in participating (no love lost here if you don't), but I came away feeling like I might be helping some Dad in the near future make up his mind to do what we do and doing something positive for the common good. (warm fuzzy feeling will wear off by Thursday....)

ps - while on sabbatical doing his research, he's also doing a little SAHD himself!

Aye, there's nary an animal alive that can outrun a greased scotsman...

So if you can spare the 1 1/2 hours for the interview I recommend it. Gives you a chance to just talk about what you think about SAHD life, perceptions of gender and parenting, portrayals of dads in the media, etc.

Josh

SAHD Since August 2005

I'm up tomorrow (11/12)...I'll let you know what my experience is...

- Andy

____________________________________
KCDADs: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/kcdad/

12th Annual At-Home Dads' Convention: www.athomedadconvention.com

Just finished my interview with Steve...very good experience. I'll echo paddyrats comments from 10/2. It is nice to be taken seriously and feel like your answers/information will be treated respectfully. I'm really tired of the mass media always looking for the negative since they need narrative tension to sell their magazine/newspaper/sitcom/movie.

Steven would still like to do more interviews, so contact him if you are inclined,

- Andy

____________________________________
KCDADs: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/kcdad/

12th Annual At-Home Dads' Convention: www.athomedadconvention.com

I talked to Steve for about 2 hours in the beginning of November. It was a good experience. I asked that we SAHD's not be portrayed as the stereotypical Mr. Mom type guys, just a bumbling idiot keeping the baby alive until my wife gets home. But as a strong willed and competent parents that we are. We can hold our heads up high as we walk through Estrogenville ( Target ) and thanks to the modern marvel of the cargo pant
We don't need no stinking diaper bags. Unless you use the sippy cups without the stopper in them. WE can feed our offspring an organic food with the best of them.. We know what our two year old is saying when nobody else does.... and so on....

It was a worth wile experience I would recommend to anybody out there...

Kevin