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Men's passage to fatherhood: an analysis of the contemporary relevance of transition theory
Author(s) -
Draper Jan
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
nursing inquiry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.66
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1800
pISSN - 1320-7881
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1800.2003.00157.x
Subject(s) - transition (genetics) , relevance (law) , sociology , ethnography , gender studies , epistemology , anthropology , political science , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , law , gene
Men's passage to fatherhood: an analysis of the contemporary relevance of transition theory This paper presents a theoretical analysis of men's experiences of pregnancy, birth and early fatherhood. It does so using a framework of ritual transition theory and argues that despite its earlier structural‐functionalist roots, transition theory remains a valuable framework, illuminating contemporary transitions across the life course. The paper discusses the historical development of transition or ritual theory and, drawing upon data generated during longitudinal ethnographic interviews with men undergoing the transition to fatherhood, analyses its relevance in understanding contemporary experiences of fatherhood.