Scenes of fathering: The automobile as a place of occupation

Abstract

Objective: While occupations are increasingly analyzed within contexts, other than the home, the ordinary places that facilitate occupations have been overlooked. The aim of this article is to explore the automobile as a place of occupation using data from an ethnographic study of fathers of children with disabilities. Methods: Qualitative data obtained through observations and interviews with the fathers and their families were analyzed using a narrative approach. Properties that influence interactions include opportunities to communicate, the vehicle itself, and electronics. Results: Driving children in the automobile fulfills fathering responsibilities and is a time for connecting. For the fathers in this study, the automobile represents a place for negotiating complex demands of fathering. Conclusions: This study demonstrates not only the importance of the automobile, but also the influence of the immediate space on the construction of occupations.

Key words:

• Automobile
• disability
• fatherhood
• narratives
• places of occupation

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the fathers who participated in this study as well as the mentors, colleagues, and students that have given feedback on this paper.

Declaration of interest: There are no potential conflicts of interests relevant to the contents of the article. This article was partially funded by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Dissertation Grant.