Introductory description

This module will develop your understanding of the concept of masculinities and deepen your knowledge of men as fathers (its common aspects and cross-cultural dimensions). You will examine perspectives on fatherhood and its relationship with the well-being of young children, which will enable you to understand the development of the various roles that fathers can play in the lives of young children. It will analyse relevant variables influencing fatherhood and its associated roles and examine the broader roles of men in early childhood.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Concepts of masculinities: fatherhood, sexuality, roles and the body;
2. Men as fathers: Understanding the historical and cultural dimensions of fatherhood;
3. Fathers and the well-being of young children
4. Variables affecting the role of fathers
5. International perspectives on the role of father
6. Fatherhood and risk (dysfunctional fathers, absent fathers, fatherhood and age)
7. The role of men in young children's settings

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a systematic, coherent and detailed knowledge and understanding of the well-established and latest theoretical concepts related to masculinities and roles associated with men as fathers
• Undertake critical analysis of information related to the roles of fathers in the lives and development of young children, devising and sustaining arguments that consolidate and may extend knowledge
• Critically evaluate strategies and approaches in policy and practice for male involvement in services for children and their families, and identify a range of appropriate solutions based on this

Indicative reading list

Buchanan, A. & Hudson, B. (Eds) (2000) Promoting Children’s Emotional well being Oxford: Oxford
University Press
Buchbinder,D. (2012) Studying Men and Masculinities, London: Routledge
Burghes, L. (1997) Fathers and Fatherhood in Britain London: Family Policy Studies Centre.
Cameron, C., Moss, P. and Owen, C. (1999) Men in the Nursery. London: Paul Chapman Publishing
Ltd.
Coltrane, S. (1996) Family Man: fatherhood, housework and Gender Equity Oxford: Oxford
University Press
Connell, R.W. (2005) Masculinities, Cambridge: Polity Press
Connell, R. W. (2000) Men and Boys, Cambridge: Polity Press
Frosh, S. (2002) Young masculinities: understanding boys in contemporary society, Basingstoke,
Palgrave
Francis, B. (2006). Teaching manfully? Exploring gendered subjectivities and power via analysis of
men teachers’ gender performance. Gender and Education. 20 (2): 109 – 122.
Gray, P. and Anderson, K. Fatherhood: evolution and human paternal behaviour. Harvard
University Press: Cambridge.
Holmes, M. (2008) What is gender? London: Sage Publications Ltd. Haywood, C. (2003) Men and masculinities: theory, research and social practice, Buckingham, Open University Press Haywood, C and Mac au Ghaill,M. (2012) Education and Masculinities: Social, Cultural and Global Transformations (Foundations and Futures of Education), London: Routledge Lupton, D. (1997) Constructing Fatherhood: Discourses and experiences, London: Sage Maybin, J and Woodhead, M. (Eds) (2003) Childhood in Context Milton Keynes Open University Press and Wiley. MacNaughton, G. (2000) Rethinking Gender in Early Childhood Education. London: Routledge-Falmer. McGillivray, G. (2008) Nannies, nursery nurses and early years professionals: Constructions of professional identity in the early years workforce in England.European Early Childhood Education Research Journal. 16(2):242-254 Riddell, S., and Tett, L. (2006). Gender and teaching: Where have all the men gone? Scotland: Dunedin Academic Press Ltd. Spade, J. and Valentine, C. (2008) The Kaleidoscope of Gender. London: Sage Publications Ltd. Popenoe, D. (1999) Life without a father: compelling new evidence that fatherhood and marriage are indispensable for the good of children and society Cambridge, Mass; London: Harvard University Press Skelton, C. (2001), Schooling the boys: masculinities and primary education, Buckingham, Open University Press Whitehead, S. (2002) Men and masculinities: key themes and new directions, Cambridge, Polity Press Whitehead, S. (2001) The masculinities reader, Cambridge, Polity Press

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

The module draws on research from the sociology of families, childhood and gender. It also touches on psychological models for understanding the role of fathers/parents in child development and flourishing.

International

The module discusses research on fathers and fatherhood in different cultural and international contexts.

Subject specific skills

Students should demonstrate a critical understanding of -

• the underlying values, theories and concepts relevant to education
• the diversity of learners and the complexities of the education process
• the complexity of the interaction between learning and local and global contexts, and the extent to which participants (including learners and teachers) can influence the learning process
• the societal and organisational structures and purposes of educational systems, and the possible implications for learners and the learning process
• theories, practice and research in the area of education
• the cultural, historical and contemporary features of various policies, institutions and agencies as pertinent to the topic
• the interrelationships between political, economic, cultural and ideological contexts in the lives of children, their families and communities

Transferable skills

• Analysis and decision making
• Communication skills
• Complex problem solving
• Confidence
• Coordinating with others
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Intellectual ability
• International cultural awareness
• Interpersonal and communication
• Judgement and decision making
• Management of learning
• Managing others/People Management
• Motivation, tenacity, commitment
• Negotiation
• Passion
• Personal development skills
• Persuading/influencing
• Planning and organisational skills
• Stakeholder and organisational awareness
• Team working