1. Esther Dermott Senior Lecturer in Sociology Fathers and Work Oxford Brookes University 16th September 2011

2. 2 Previous Research Intransigence of fathers patterns of paid work Disassociation of good fathering from work practices Importance of micro- flexibility Good fathering as practices of intimacy; focus on communication and understanding

3. 3 Regendering of Care? To be submitted to ESRC (with James (Queen Mary) Boyer (Southampton) and MacLeavy (Bristol)) Post-recession Britain + Shifts in acceptable masculinity = ? Themes –Gender and recession –(Slowly) changing models of fatherhood –Uneven regional geographies of recession & work/care orientations –Repositioning the mainstream WLB agenda

4. 4 Regendering of Care?: Research Questions In what ways do self-identified male primary caregivers modify their participation in paid work to take up a greater share of childcare? What factors and motivations underpin the decision of male primary caregivers to modify their participation in paid work and to take up a greater share of childcare? What are the positive and negative work-life experiences of stay- at-home dads? What strategies and support arrangements do stay at home dads and male returners find most useful?

5. 5 Fragile Fathering: negotiating intimacy and risk in parenting practice British Academy funded (with J Gabb, OU) (Jan 12) Divorced/separated fathers who (1) co-parent & (2) have intermittent contact Key themes –Competency –Sexuality –Regulation

6. 6 Fathers and Work: what next? Flexibility Work (in totality) Against the grain? Multiple methods Cross-national/ comparative

7. 7 Displaying Families