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'Fatherhood' traces a history of masculinity, from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, Augustine Sedgewick examines the concept of fatherhood through both personal experience and historical analysis. After his father's stroke and his own journey into parenthood, Sedgewick explores how fathers can build meaningful relationships with their children while navigating society's evolving expectations of the paternal role.

The discussion traces changing perspectives on fatherhood from ancient Athens—where Plato and Aristotle debated family structures—through the Cold War era, when fathers were expected to be both providers and friends to their children. Sedgewick also explores why men have been slower than women to challenge traditional parenting roles, highlighting gaps in contemporary understanding of what it means to be a father in modern society.

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'Fatherhood' traces a history of masculinity, from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud

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'Fatherhood' traces a history of masculinity, from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud

1-Page Summary

Personal and Historical Evolution Of Understanding Fatherhood

Augustine Sedgewick explores the meaning of fatherhood through both a personal and historical lens. His journey was sparked by two significant life events: his father's personality-altering stroke and his own experience of becoming a father. Through writing his book, Sedgewick sought to understand how to build a meaningful relationship with his son while processing changes in his relationship with his father. A conversation with his son ultimately helped him realize that fatherhood could be redefined around simple expectations of providing humor and comfort.

Evolving Societal Definitions and Expectations of Fatherhood

The concept of fatherhood has undergone numerous transformations throughout history. In ancient Athens, philosophers engaged in what may have been the first recorded debate about the meaning of fatherhood. Plato proposed a radical restructuring of family in "The Republic," suggesting a communal approach where all citizens would be responsible for each other. Aristotle, however, advocated for strengthening traditional father-child bonds to maintain paternal authority.

By the mid-20th century, particularly during the Cold War era in the United States, the father's role expanded beyond just being a protector and provider to include being a friend to their children. This evolution, while enriching father-child relationships, added to an already impossible set of expectations for fathers to fulfill.

Differences in Motherhood and Fatherhood Perception in Society

While women have historically challenged and examined their societal roles - with philosophers like Simone de Beauvoir arguing that concepts of womanhood and motherhood are "man-made" - men have been slower to explore and reconstruct the concept of fatherhood. Sedgewick notes that even the most insightful parenting books failed to address his questions about redefining fatherhood in a way that would benefit both father and child, highlighting the need for more extensive exploration of the father's role in modern society.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • During the Cold War era in the United States, societal expectations of fathers expanded to include not just providing and protecting but also being emotionally present and nurturing towards their children. This shift reflected a broader cultural emphasis on the importance of strong family units in the face of external threats. Fathers were increasingly encouraged to engage in their children's emotional development and be more involved in their daily lives, moving beyond traditional roles of authority and discipline. This period saw a redefinition of fatherhood that emphasized warmth, emotional support, and companionship alongside the more traditional roles of provider and protector.
  • Men exploring fatherhood and women challenging societal roles are distinct but interconnected concepts. Historically, women have actively questioned and redefined traditional gender roles, including motherhood, through feminist movements. In contrast, men have been slower to critically examine and redefine their roles as fathers within society. This comparison highlights the differing rates of societal introspection and change between genders in relation to parental roles.

Counterarguments

  • While Sedgewick's personal experiences are valuable, they may not be universally applicable to all fathers or fatherhood experiences.
  • The idea that fatherhood can be redefined around humor and comfort might be overly simplistic and not encompass the full range of responsibilities and emotions involved in fatherhood.
  • Plato's communal approach to family, while innovative, may not account for the deep personal connections and sense of responsibility many individuals associate with traditional family structures.
  • Aristotle's emphasis on traditional father-child bonds could be seen as conservative and not adaptable to the diverse family structures present in modern society.
  • The expansion of the father's role during the mid-20th century may not have been universally experienced or recognized across different cultures or socioeconomic statuses.
  • The claim that men have been slower to explore fatherhood compared to women's examination of motherhood could be challenged by pointing out various cultural and historical instances where men have actively engaged in redefining fatherhood.
  • The assertion that parenting books have failed to address redefining fatherhood might overlook works that do tackle these issues, albeit perhaps not as prominently as books on motherhood.
  • The comparison between the societal perceptions of motherhood and fatherhood may not fully acknowledge the complexities and nuances of each role and how they are influenced by cultural, economic, and individual factors.

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'Fatherhood' traces a history of masculinity, from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud

Personal and Historical Evolution Of Understanding Fatherhood

Augustine Sedgewick delves into his personal journey to comprehend the meaning of fatherhood, prompted by changes in his father’s health, and his desire to forge a fulfilling relationship with his son.

Father's Evolving Role Shaped Author's View on Fatherhood

Stroke Alters Father's Personality, Prompts Author to Reflect On Fatherhood

Sedgewick embarked on the writing of his book with a dual aim: to seek a connection with his father and explore how he could be a caring presence in his son's life. The catalyst for his reflection was a stroke that significantly altered his father's personality, prompting Sedgewick to deeply consider the essence of fatherhood.

Author Sought a Fulfilling Non-traditional Way to Care For Son

Redefining Sustainable, Meaningful Fatherhood For Author and Son

Despite the initial frustration of ...

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Personal and Historical Evolution Of Understanding Fatherhood

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Actionables

  • You can initiate a weekly storytelling hour with your family to share experiences and learn from each other's perspectives. Set aside a time each week where you and your family members, especially the children, can tell stories about your day, your past, or your dreams for the future. This practice encourages open communication and allows you to understand and connect with your family on a deeper level, much like a heart-to-heart conversation.
  • Start a fatherhood journal to document your thoughts and experiences as a parent. Use this journal to reflect on your daily interactions with your children, noting both the challenges and the joys. This can be a private space for you to consider what fatherhood means to you and how you can care for your children in non-traditional ways that align with your values.
  • Create a "Dad's Day Out" tradition where you sp ...

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'Fatherhood' traces a history of masculinity, from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud

Evolving Societal Definitions and Expectations of Fatherhood

The role and expectations of fathers have gone through various transformations throughout history, with debates about its meaning dating back to ancient philosophy and continuing into modern societal standards.

Evolving Societal Role and Expectations of Fathers

Athens Philosophers Debated Redefining Fatherhood In Crises

At a time of crisis for Athens and its democracy, philosophers Plato and Aristotle engaged in a pivotal debate about the meaning of fatherhood, arguably the first of its kind on record. Both agreed that the circumstances facing Athens called for a new definition of what it meant to be a father.

Plato, in his work "The Republic," proposed a radical thought experiment. He implied that the patriarchal family structure should be abolished in favor of a communal approach where citizens of the state were all considered part of one large family. This idea meant everyone, irrespective of biological connections, would be mutually responsible for one another, which would have dramatically altered the perception and responsibilities of fatherhood.

In contrast, Aristotle resisted this notion and instead supported policies that would fortify the relationship between fathers and their children. He believed that strengthening these bonds would, in effect, enhance the father's authority and power both within the household and across society, maintaining the traditional structure and roles associated with fatherhood.

Mid-20th Century "Dad": Protector, Provider, Friend; Adds To Impossible Fatherhood Standards

Evolving Fatherhood Definitions Creating Masculinity Crises

Throughout history, fatherhood has often been depicted as a dual responsibility: to protect and to provide. This portrayal has set a high bar for masculinity and fatherhood, one that is often imp ...

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Evolving Societal Definitions and Expectations of Fatherhood

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Plato's proposal in "The Republic" suggested replacing traditional family structures with a communal system where all citizens would share familial responsibilities. This idea aimed to create a society where everyone cared for each other equally, regardless of biological relationships. By abolishing the patriarchal family model, Plato sought to redefine societal roles and responsibilities beyond traditional family units. This radical concept challenged the notion of exclusive parental authority and aimed to foster a more collective and egalitarian society.
  • The Cold War era in the United States, spanning roughly from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, was characterized by intense geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. This period influenced societal norms and values, including perceptions of gender roles and family dynamics. The fear of nuclear war and the emphasis on traditional family values during this time impacted the evolving definition of fatherhood, leading to a shift towards fathers being seen not just as providers and protectors but also as emotionally involved companions in their children's lives.
  • Masculinity crises often stem from societal shifts in expectati ...

Counterarguments

  • While Plato's idea of communal child-rearing is noted, it could be argued that such a system might not necessarily lead to better outcomes for children or society, as individual attention from a dedicated father figure could be crucial for a child's development.
  • Aristotle's emphasis on strengthening the bond between fathers and children might overlook the complexity of family dynamics and the fact that not all father-child relationships are beneficial or healthy.
  • The historical depiction of fatherhood as protector and provider does not account for the diverse cultural and social contexts in which fatherhood can take on different meanings and responsibilities.
  • The notion that the standards of fatherhood are impossible to meet might be challenged by pointing out that many men find fulfillment and success in their roles as fathers, despite the high expectations.
  • The expansion of the father's role to include being a friend during the Cold War era could be critiqued for potentially blurring the lines between parental authority and companionship, which might complicate discipline and guidance.
  • The id ...

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'Fatherhood' traces a history of masculinity, from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud

Differences in Motherhood and Fatherhood Perception in Society

Societal roles for mothers and fathers are frequently topics of discussion, and while women have successfully challenged their perception, men are only now starting to explore the construct of fatherhood in-depth.

Women Successfully Discuss Societal Role Challenges

Beauvoir: Womanhood and Motherhood as "Man-made" Concepts

Historically, women like philosopher Simone de Beauvoir have critically examined the societal roles imposed on them, suggesting concepts of womanhood and motherhood are "man-made." This critical perspective has fostered discussions on the challenges women face in balancing societal expectations and personal aspirations.

Men Slower to Explore Fatherhood's Construct and Remaking

Understanding and Reforming Fatherhood For Men's Benefit

Augustine Sedgewick, confronted with his father’s health crisis and the birth of his own son, navigated a challenging time for the concept of fatherhood. Sedgewick recognized that the traditional fathers he knew seemed not to exist in ...

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Differences in Motherhood and Fatherhood Perception in Society

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Simone de Beauvoir's perspective is influential, it can be argued that concepts of womanhood and motherhood are not solely "man-made" but are also shaped by biological, psychological, and cultural factors that transcend gender.
  • Discussions on the challenges women face may sometimes overlook the progress made in many societies towards gender equality and the changing dynamics of women's roles.
  • The exploration of fatherhood by men may not necessarily be slower but could be less publicized or recognized in societal discussions, with many men quietly redefining fatherhood in their personal lives.
  • Augustine Sedgewick's experiences, while valid, may not represent all men or fathers, and there could be a wide variety of experiences and perspectives on fatherhood that are not captured in his observations.
  • The assertion that traditional fathers no longer exist in the same fashion could be challenged ...

Actionables

  • You can start a personal journal to reflect on your own experiences with gender roles, noting how societal expectations have influenced your life choices. Write down instances where you felt pressured to conform to traditional gender roles and how that made you feel. This exercise can help you become more aware of the impact of societal constructs on your personal identity and aspirations.
  • Engage in conversations with friends or family members of different generations about their views on parenthood. Ask them how they perceive their roles as parents or potential parents and what they believe has changed over time. This dialogue can provide insights into the evolving nature of parental roles and encourage a deeper understanding of your own beliefs and expectations.
  • Create a vision board that repr ...

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