Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
06:24
Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
Published on: January 10, 2025
Men, masculine identities and childbirth
1School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick. a.dolan@warwick.ac.uk
Sociology of Health & Illness
|May 13, 2011
Summary
This study explores how first-time fathers navigate childbirth, finding they often adapt dominant masculine practices despite feeling marginalized. Healthcare professionals
Area of Science:
- Sociology of health
- Gender studies
- Sociology of family
Background:
- Growing interest in fathers' childbirth experiences necessitates deeper understanding beyond anecdotal evidence.
- Existing research lacks theory-based exploration of men's roles and perspectives during birth.
- First-hand accounts of fathers are underrepresented in current literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how first-time fathers construct masculine identities during pregnancy and childbirth.
- To analyze how healthcare professionals perceive and interact with masculinity in childbirth settings.
- To understand the social structural dynamics that shape men's experiences and marginalization in childbirth.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research methodology.
- In-depth interviews with first-time fathers.
- Interviews with healthcare professionals involved in childbirth.
Main Results:
- Men can adopt dominant masculine practices to align with societal expectations during childbirth.
- Healthcare professionals' perceptions of masculinity influence their interactions and positioning of fathers.
- Men's marginal status in childbirth is reinforced by social structures that perpetuate dominant masculinity.
Conclusions:
- Childbirth experiences are shaped by dominant masculinity, leading to potential marginalization of fathers.
- Healthcare professionals' constructions of masculinity can streamline practice but may overlook fathers' unique needs.
- Social structures play a significant role in reproducing masculine identities within the context of childbirth.
Related Concept Videos
02:19The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
01:29Social Identity
Social identity constitutes a significant aspect of an individual’s self-concept, shaped by membership in various social groups, including gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Individuals associate specific traits with particular social groups, leading to internalization of these traits. For example, musicians are often perceived as creative, while women are frequently associated with nurturing tendencies. Once individuals identify with a particular...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:12Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Phallic
The third stage of psychosexual development proposed by Freud is the phallic stage, occurring between the ages of 3 and 6. During this period, children become aware of their bodies and the differences between males and females. The erogenous zone in this stage is the genitals, and conflicts arise as children develop desires toward the opposite-sex parent. Boys experience the Oedipus complex, where they desire their mother and view their father as a rival. This leads to castration anxiety, the...