Leisure and Fatherhood in Dual‐Earner Families

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between fatherhood in the context of dual‐earner families in the UK. A gender constructivist theoretical framework is first described then applied to data gathered from interviews with 14 dual‐employed couples with dependent children. Leisure is revealed as a key component of men’s role as fathers that sits alongside the much‐discussed notion of breadwinning. The structure, nature and meaning of leisure is shown to be crucially altered by the onset of parenthood. While leisure still retains meanings of autonomy and personal pursuit, it becomes a context for parenting during childrearing. The discourse of ‘leisure‐based parenting’ contrasts sharply with mothers’ discussions of both parenting and leisure. Data from interviews with both partners are used to highlight the different ‘hierarchies’ of employment, family and leisure that co‐exist within families. The paper also outlines the interactions between mothers’ and fathers’ experience of (paid and unpaid) work, family life and leisure that act to construct and reconstruct gendered lifecourse trajectories. The impact of each partner’s leisure orientations on the behaviour of the other is presented as an example of the way gendered leisure mediates the lifestyles of fathers, mothers and families.

Keywords:

• leisure
• fatherhood
• lifestyle
• hierarchies
• strategies