I am father : an analysis of masculine identities of professionally employed fathers and their parental leave decisions
Date
2008
Authors
Rice, Joseph Robert
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, c2008
Abstract
This thesis project attempts to apply Hearn’s (2004) proposed seven aspects of the
hegemony of men by investigating the decision-making process of male professors
deciding whether to exercise parental leave benefits available to them. Focusing on the
parental leave decision allows me to gather detailed data about how men relate their
family and work obligations into their perceptions of masculinity and their identities as
fathers.
Recognizing that parental leave taken by men is socially progressive, it may
constitute a weakness in the hegemony of men as described by Hearn (2004). The
motivation behind fathers’ parental leave decisions may go beyond legalities and
organizational policies. Masculinity’s predetermined gender roles combined with identity
may be a source of contradictory influences on the decision to pursue parental leave
rights provided by the Canadian government. Therefore, I studied the extent to which the
hegemony of men influences the individual’s decision-making process.
Description
x, 85 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm
Keywords
Parental leave , Fathers , Work and family