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Fathers’ involvement in child care activities: Qualitative findings from the highlands of Madagascar

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Listed:
  • Hasina Rakotomanana
  • Christine N Walters
  • Joel J Komakech
  • Deana Hildebrand
  • Gail E Gates
  • David G Thomas
  • Fanjaniaina Fawbush
  • Barbara J Stoecker

Abstract

Few studies have investigated fathers’ roles in child care in Madagascar. This study explored the perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding fathers’ involvement in child care using qualitative methods. Ten focus group discussions were conducted among parents of children aged 6–23 months; seven were among mothers, and three among fathers. In-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 8) were also conducted with key informants. Discussions and interviews were audio-recorded and the verbatim transcripts in Malagasy were translated into English. Data were analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. Provision of financial and material support as well as teaching and playing with the child were the main perceived roles of fathers. In practice, fathers spent their time alone with their children playing and holding them when the mother was unavailable. Busy schedules and separation due to work were major barriers to fathers’ involvement. Traditional gender roles for child care in which the mother is seen as primarily responsible for the child were salient across the data. Consequently, men involved in child care activities and their wives were often criticized by the community. Nevertheless, there was self-reported interest from both mothers and fathers in involving men more in child care. Interventions aimed to increase fathers’ involvement in child care may be more successful when they focus on shifting the community perceptions on the division of responsibilities between fathers and mothers.

Suggested Citation

  • Hasina Rakotomanana & Christine N Walters & Joel J Komakech & Deana Hildebrand & Gail E Gates & David G Thomas & Fanjaniaina Fawbush & Barbara J Stoecker, 2021. "Fathers’ involvement in child care activities: Qualitative findings from the highlands of Madagascar," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-18, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0247112
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maselko, Joanna & Hagaman, Ashley K. & Bates, Lisa M. & Bhalotra, Sonia & Biroli, Pietro & Gallis, John A. & O'Donnell, Karen & Sikander, Siham & Turner, Elizabeth L. & Rahman, Atif, 2019. "Father involvement in the first year of life: Associations with maternal mental health and child development outcomes in rural Pakistan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 1-1.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeong, Joshua & McCann, Juliet K. & Alsager, Alya & Bhojani, Alina & Andrew, Ngusa & Joseph, Julieth & Ahun, Marilyn N. & Kabati, Mary & Joachim, Damas, 2023. "Formative research to inform the future design of a multicomponent fatherhood intervention to improve early child development in Mwanza, Tanzania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    2. Sylvain Dessy & Francesca Marchetta & Roland Pongou & Luca Tiberti, 2024. "Women’s Relative Earning Power and Fertility: Evidence from Climate Shocks in Rural Madagascar," Working Papers - Economics wp2024_14.rdf, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.
    3. Daniel John D. Arboleda & Deborah Natalia E. Singson, 2022. "Bittersweet Metamorphosis: Lived Experiences of Emerging Adult Single Fathers on Parenting in a Rural Community," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 30(1), pages 426-441, April.

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