Nonresident Fathers' Leisure with Their Children

Abstract

This study examines nonresident fathers' leisure with their children, which leads to nuanced understandings of nonresident fatherhood, father–child relationships and the role of leisure in these relationships. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 nonresident fathers residing in the Hunter region, Australia. The fathers who participated in the study were a diverse group. Despite fathers' different life circumstances, experiences of separation, and divorce and child contact arrangements, leisure was an important context for fatherhood. Leisure was a vital aspect of fathers' engagement with their children and a means for them to make valuable contributions as parents to the lives of their children.

Keywords:

• children
• engagement
• father-child contact
• fatherhood
• leisure
• nonresident fathers

Submitted 26 March 2007; accepted 17 November 2008. The author would like to thank the referees for their helpful reports. Special thanks to Julie Hodges for her advice, and to the anonymous Associate Editor and to the Editor, Prof. Karla Henderson, for their excellent and timely feedback and assistance. The author is grateful for financial support provided by The University of Newcastle and Southern Cross University.