Changes In Parenting

Question 1

Motherhood

Answer 1

McCarthy (2003) argues women still feel that they need to conform to traditional norms about what makes a good mother and this ensures that children also received fathering

Mothers are perceived as those who have the ultimate responsibility for emotional stability and keeping the family together

Question 2

Fatherhood

Answer 2

There are a number of changes to what has been considered as a good father:

Higher divorce rates. Men have more limited contact with the children after divorce and sometimes lose contact altogether

New concepts of masculinity. ‘New man’ often exemplified by David beckham. New men are willing to display their emotions and take equal responsibility for childcare

Changing patterns of male employment. There’s been a decline in jobs involving heavy physical labour. In some parts of the UK there is been high levels of long-term male unemployment