University of Worcester Worcester Research and Publications
 
  USER PANEL:
  ABOUT THE COLLECTION:
  CONTACT DETAILS:

Fathers as Sexuality Educators: Aspirations and Realities. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Bennett, Clare, Harden, J. and Anstey, S. (2018) Fathers as Sexuality Educators: Aspirations and Realities. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning, 18 (1). pp. 74-89. ISSN Print: 1468-1811 Online: 1472-0825

[img]
Preview
Text
Fathers as sexuality educators aspirations and realities An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Men can play a significant role in teaching their children about
sexuality but fathers’ practices and perceptions in this domain
remain under explored. This study presents an Interpretative
Phenomenological Analysis of eight fathers’ perceptions and practices
in educating their ten-year-old children about physical maturation,
reproduction and relationships. A Foucauldian analysis with a focus on
governmentality and biopower revealed tensions and contradictions
between the fathers’ aspirations and their realities, which appeared
to be underpinned by the dynamic, contradictory, shifting, plural
nature of fatherhood identities. Whilst fathers wished to adhere to the
cultural imperative for father–child emotional closeness, a disparity
between their ambitions and their conduct emerged. Care appeared
to be a deeply gendered concept for the fathers and despite their
aspirations for an intimate relationship with their children, gendered
norms for motherhood and fatherhood prevailed resulting in passivity
in their role as sexuality educators. The study concludes by arguing
that challenges to structures and subcultural contexts, which may
deter fathers from fully engaging with their sons and daughters in
this aspect of communication are required.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information:

The full-text of the online published article can be accessed via the official URL.

Uncontrolled Discrete Keywords: fathers, sexuality education, educators role, governmentality, biopower
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions: College of Health, Life and Environmental Sciences > School of Nursing and Midwifery
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Clare Bennett
Date Deposited: 13 Oct 2017 14:41
Last Modified: 17 Jun 2020 17:19
URI: https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5967

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item
 
     
Worcester Research and Publications is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information and software credits.