About

Modern Fatherhood is a place to examine the role of 21st century fathers at home and in the world of work. It’s the result of research collaboration between NatCen Social Research, the University of East Anglia and the Thomas Coram Research Unit funded by the ESRC. Although principally focused on fathers in the UK, also examines how the realities of fatherhood vary across Europe.

With the Government concerned about troubled families and the role of parents rarely out of the press, there’s never been a greater need for strong evidence about fathers.

Modern Fatherhood presents the first comprehensive analysis of fatherhood in the UK and focuses on the key themes of ‘who fathers are’, ‘fathers and work’ and ‘fathers and families’. Although principally focused on fathers in the UK, Modern Fatherhood also examines how the realities of fatherhood vary across Europe.

By improving our understanding of men’s diverse family and work roles, this information will help policy makers, employers and practitioners develop father friendly work-family policies and practices.

It also provides space for a conversation about men, families and work life.

Modern Fatherhood is funded by the ESRC Secondary Data Analysis Initiative. It involved analysis of data from four large-scale survey series: Understanding Society, the European Union Labour Force Survey, the European Social Survey and the British Household Panel Study.