Full Citation
Title: Social Contact, Time Alone, and Parental Subjective Well-being: A Focus on Stay-At-Home Fathers Using the American Time Use Survey
Citation Type: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2021
ISBN:
ISSN:
DOI: 10.1037/men0000321
NSFID:
PMCID:
PMID:
Abstract: Stay-at-home fathers (SAHFs) face negative social stereotypes, and experience social stigma surrounding their role. These stereotypes and stigma may be unique to SAHFs, and may further be linked to negative feelings during social contact. This study examines differences in social contact and time alone experienced by SAHFs compared to stay-at-home mothers and parents of other work/caregiving statuses. Additionally, we analyze SAHFs’ subjective well-being when with their children, spouse, non-spouse adults, and when alone to more accurately capture the positive and negative valences of their experiences across social contact. Using individual-level time-use diaries from the American Time Use Survey (N = 35,959), a nationally representative sample, we find that compared to fathers working full time, SAHFs spent more time alone, more time with only their children, and less time with adults. SAHFs reported that this alone time was meaningful, not negative. They reported more happiness when interacting exclusively with children. These findings refute some common stereotypes that primary caregiving fathers only stay home with their children as a last resort, and further support the new fatherhood ideal that many fathers desire to be more actively involved in childrearing than prior generations of fathers were. Unfortunately, SAHFs reported significantly more sadness, more stress, and less happiness while interacting in a variety of contexts with adults, including higher feelings of sadness when spending time with a spouse. Connecting our work with past research, we believe these findings are best explained by either exclusion of SAHFs or increased salience of social stigmas felt by SAHFs in social situations with adults. These indicators of emotional well-being during social contact have important implications for parent physical and mental health.
Url: https://doi.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fmen0000321
User Submitted?: Yes
Authors: Holmes, Erin K.; Wikle, Jocelyn; Thomas, Clare R.; Jorgensen, McKell A.; Egginton, Braquel R.
Periodical (Full): Psychology of Men & Masculinities
Issue: 3
Volume: 22
Pages: 488-499
Data Collections: IPUMS Time Use - ATUS
Topics: Family and Marriage
Countries: