Fathers and families

A father’s presence has a huge impact on the development and wellbeing of their child. So how close are fathers and children? How do fathers share childcare with partners and other family members?  

Key facts and figures

74% of all parents never smack their children, while 19% report they hardly ever do this. There's little difference between mothers and fathers when it comes to smacking their children.

Over half of fathers, whether in a couple or living on their own , will help their children with homework at least once a week, 56% and 53% respectively.

Latest outputs

Father involvement with children and couple relationships

Briefing paper

17 Oct 2014 / Download

This briefing paper investigates father involvement with their children, couple relationships and the interaction between the two.

Father involvement with children and couple relationships – Tables

Briefing paper

17 Oct 2014 / Download

Tables to accompany the briefing paper 'Father involvement with children in couple relationships'.

Fathers: a new policy agenda

Presentation slides

3 Jul 2014 / Download

Presented at the Modern Fatherhood: Fathers, Work and Families in twenty-first century Britain seminar on Thursday 3rd July 2014 at the Institute of Education.

Fathers in different family contexts

Presentation slides

3 Jul 2014 / Download

Presented at the Modern Fatherhood: Fathers, Work and Families in twenty-first century Britain seminar on Thursday 3rd July 2014 at the Institute of Education.    

Work-family conflict: comparing fathers across selected European countries

Presentation slides

14 Feb 2014 / Download

Presented at City University on Thursday 13th February 2014.

Fathers and families

Briefing paper

15 Jun 2013 / Download

In this paper we look at how involved parents are in the lives of their children, and whether things are different for fathers and mothers.

Fathers, work & families

Presentation slides

15 Jun 2013 / Download

These slides introduce the aims of our study and our key findings in regards to modern day fatherhood, fathers’ working patterns and their involvement in family life.

Fathers and families – tables

Tables

15 Jun 2013 / Download

Tables to accompany the ‘Fathers and families’ briefing paper, which looks at how involved parents are in the lives of their children, and whether things are different for fathers and mothers.