Participatory fatherhood in Bloomington, MN

This research deals with male subjectivity in participatory fatherhood, seeking to capture the meaning given to fatherhood and masculinity by men who experience the daily care of their children. To do this, it situates the themes of fatherhood and masculinity both in relation to the categories of gender and patriarchy, and around the current discussions on "new fathers" and the contemporary "crisis of masculinity". As a result, it can be seen that caring fathers experience fatherhood with special emotional intensity, demonstrating a disposition contrary to the masculine stereotype, which presupposes, above all, self-control of emotions. It can be seen that participative fatherhood involves reactivating feelings of oral dependence in human development, which are expressed in the ability to care and to be involved in an intimate relationship, commonly denied in the male experience. The contradictions faced by these individuals in their lives as fathers and men are also highlighted, and the multiple dimensions and challenges of the so-called new paternity are discussed.