Fathers and Parenting

A study published in the Psychology of Men & Masculinities reported that competitive and adventurous men make better fathers—when this is combined with a nurturing approach towards parenting. Fathers who reported being ‘real men’ also displayed good parenting behavior, however they were low in negative stereotypical masculine traits, such as hostile sexism or the belief that men should be the primary providers for the family, as well. Reportedly, the results surprised the researchers. The men who exhibited these positive male traits displayed better parenting behaviors, had higher quality interactions with their children, and were better at co-parenting. They tended to be really engaged with their children and were not checked out. Professor Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, the study’s first author, said, “These men are combining traditional aspects of masculinity with new nurturing ideals to create new fathering identities. They may be in the midst of transforming fatherhood.”