Indigenous Fathers' Involvement in Reconstituting “Circles of Care”

• Published in: American Journal of Community Psychology
• Main Author: Ball, Jessica
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2010
• Subjects: Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10464-009-9293-1; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1007%2Fs10464-009-9293-1; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1007/s10464-009-9293-1; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1007/s10464-009-9293-1

Abstract This qualitative study, part of a Canadian national study of fathers' involvement, opened up First Nations and Métis fathering as a new area of inquiry. Conversational interviews with 80 Indigenous fathers illuminated the socio‐historical conditions that have shaped Indigenous men's experiences of learning to be a father and becoming a man in the context of changing gender relationships and the regeneration of circles of care. Indigenous fathers' experiences unfold in a socio‐historical context fraught with difficulties. However, the study findings suggest cultural strengths and sources of resilience unseen in research and community programs driven by Euro‐western perspectives. This research can inform efforts to reduce systemic barriers and reconstitute positive father involvement following disrupted intergenerational transmission of fathering in Canada and elsewhere.