ABSTRACT
Societal assumptions and research in Australia, as well as family and employment policies, present a mixture of perspectives about fatherhood. At one level, there is the constantly stated claim that Australian males (and presumably fathers too) are extremely chauvinistic, and that the Australian family is rigidly patriarchal (cf. Bryson. 1984). Stagoll (1983. p. 17). in reviewing family therapy in Australia, has argued that Australian men are “left out of family life, taking refuge in self-conscious masculinity around sport, ‘ockerdom’ (defined as boorish, uncouth chauvinistic Australianism) and alcohol as compensation.” Consistent with this “chauvinistic” perspective is the Government’s insistence that family allowances (a benefit given to those who have dependent children) can be paid only to the mother, even if it is the father who is the full-time caregiver. In contrast to these views, research indicates that there are few differences between Australian and other Western fathers regarding participation in childcare (Russell & Radin, 1983). This is true both for findings about modal patterns and about the incidence of highly involved, nurturant. and sensitive fathers (Harper. 1980; Russell. 1983a).
