Father Involvement among Working-Class, Dual-Earner Couples

Abstract

Predictors of father involvement were explored among 98 dual-earner, working- class couples experiencing the transition to parenthood. A model combining different theoretical approaches to predict levels and rates of change in father involvement during the first year of parenthood was tested using hierarchical linear modeling. Results indicated that father involvement at oneyear postpartum was most equitable when parents worked opposite shifts, mothers were employed full-time, and mothers were lower on gatekeeping. Mothers’ full-time work, economic contributions of father, gender ideology, paternal skill and baby soothability predicted changes in father involvement over time. In addition, full-time work and shift work moderated the relationship between other predictors and father involvement.