First-time Fathers Navigating Caregiving and Paid Work: A Dyadic and Longitudinal Qualitative Study

This study aimed to explore how first-time (heterosexual) fathers’ involvement in caregiving and paid work roles was (co)constructed with their partners during the transition to parenthood. The transition to parenthood entails adaptations and emotional experiences that make this period unique for fathers. Importantly, the emergence of the father role occurs within a relational context. However, few studies use a dyadic lens, and even fewer take a longitudinal approach to capture the unfolding dynamics during the transition to parenthood. An even smaller number combine these perspectives with a qualitative approach to understand how fathers construct and negotiate their new role within the coparenting relationship. We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with each member of a couple in two waves: during the third trimester of pregnancy and 18 months after birth. We analyzed data from 10 couples (40 interviews in total) using a combination of dyadic and longitudinal approaches. We identified three categories of couples, describing broad patterns and typical behaviors, values, and beliefs about work and parenting roles: “working fathers, caring mothers,” “in-between care and work” and “equal care, equal work”. Fathers’ involvement in caregiving and paid work roles begins to take shape early in pregnancy through co-constructive processes, influenced by an interplay of individual and shared expectations and available resources. Our findings highlight the importance of psychological interventions during the transition to parenthood to foster a supportive and adaptive family environment, and promote fathers’ involvement.Keywords: Fatherhood, Transition to parenthood, Caregiving, Paid Work, Dyadic and Longitudinal Qualitative analysis