At home during Covid-19: father’s perspectives of identity, masculinity, and fatherhood

Covid-19 has brought about immense changes throughout all aspects of the individual and common life, in a way never previously seen. The world populace was forces to cope with acute limitations in the ability to go to work, move about, and receive education, as a result of the government policies oriented to stop the virus’ spread. As a result of the work restrictions, many men, including fathers, found themselves spending long periods of time at homes with their spouses and children. This resulted in a change in the manner of participation of the fathers in the home environment and family life. This qualitative-phenomenological research brings out the voices and experiences of fathers who, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, spent a meaningful duration of time at home, in a way that differs from their life before the pandemic. 8 interviews were conducted with fathers in which they shared from their perspectives and experiences. The findings of the research shed light regarding matters that were considered meaningful to the subjects during the time. Among the findings, a major emphasis was given to the way in which the fathers position or perceive themselves as having the role of the protecting of their families from what they perceive as a societal collapse and as a catastrophic reality, while the discussion offers an innovative theoretical perspective on the subject, based on a reciprocating relationship between original findings. Subjects also describe that the time spent at home has brought about a positive outcome regarding the family relationship. These findings can assist in understanding the complexity of fathers’ reactions to crises, and the dynamic between masculinity, family, and fatherhood during intense and closed off periods of time that fathers spend with their families. The findings can assist in the development of programs that aim to help families that have to deal with challenging periods of time that contain extreme changes in life patterns.