Fatherhood today: variations on a theme

This paper examines the radical changes in fatherhood since Freud formulated his Oedipal theories on the basis of the patriarchal family 100 years ago. It attempts to describe the increasing marginalization of the modern father due to the significant social changes brought about by the wars of this century, by the liberation of women, the rise of feminism and the consequent weakening of family structures. It explores the modern diversity of fathering, mothering and parenting: single parenting, step-parenting, co-parenting and absent fathers. Also included is a discussion on the development of IVF techniques, which enables fathers to function as mere sperm donors, and women to produce children with the help of modern technology, from frozen sperm, embryo implanting and surrogacy. Questions about the ongoing validity of Freud's Oedipal theories are asked. Concern about the ethics of ‘designer’ babies is expressed, and the decline of the modern family is captured in a series of clinical vignettes which provide evidence for the psychic complications experienced by children who have grown up into this ‘bright new world’. What is the role for the counsellor and psychotherapist in this scenario?