Fathers and Reproductive Labor

Abstract

This thesis explores the changes that are taking place in modern family structures after women entered the labor market and the rise of feminist voices, with a particular emphasis on the changing responsibilities that fathers play in the context of reproductive labor in urban areas in Lebanon. The objective of this study is to offer a discussion of the factors influencing the reinterpretation of fatherhood by investigating cultural transformations, and the effects of changing gender roles. The traditional limits defining men's engagement in caregiving and domestic responsibilities are evolving due to significant in societal, economic, and cultural changes. This study employed a qualitative methodology, using semi-structured interviews with couples, each partner independently, to examine the various aspects that impact the evolving context of fathers' roles in reproductive labor. Using thematic analysis, six themes emerged, centering around 1) Transformed Perceptions about Father’s Duties, 2) Normalizing the Availability of Fathers Through Reproductive Labor, 3) From Binary Gender Roles to Partnership Relationship, 4) The Impact of Economic Needs and Women’s Work on Fathers’ Roles, 5) Increase in Women’s Fight for Their Rights, 6) The Impact of Father’s Involvement in Reproductive Labor on Family and Child Development. The findings contribute to a broader discourse on gender equality and family studies, offering insights into how contemporary fathers navigate and negotiate their roles in the complicated web of reproductive labor.