Reimagining Fathering a Child with Special Needs in a Gendered Context

Abstract

This research aims to achieve an in-depth understanding of the roles of fathers who have a child with special needs in the context of gender roles. Conducted through the periods and techniques of the qualitative research paradigm, the data were collected using an in-depth interview technique with a semi-structured interview form, which included socio-demographic questions and some open-ended questions. The participants consist of 21 fathers living in Samsun province and having children with special needs. The results suggest that four themes can be generated from the interviews with fathers, such as egalitarian parenting, a lesser parent with masculine roles, a shift in parental roles and forced maternity of a father. It can be concluded that all the fathers are aware of the burden and heavy work of mothers, some trying to share the responsibilities with their wives, while others believe this is a duty of mothers. In any case, either egalitarian or traditional, the fathers are under the influence of gender stereotypes.