Indian Fathers: Family Dynamics and Investment Patterns

Abstract

Despite unprecedented economic and social changes within the Indian family, not much attention is paid to the role of the father in the socialisation of young children. This overview provides a contemporary look at the Indian father in the context of ideological beliefs about roles and responsibilities, levels and quality of involvement with infants and young children, and maternal employment and caregiving patterns. Ideological beliefs about men’s and women’s roles and responsibilities within the family have not changed appreciably. Fathers appear responsive to the needs of young children, but mothers still assume major responsibility for childrearing. Maternal employment affects caregiving patterns modestly. There is a need for studies on fathers’ involvement and investment in infants and young children within changing work and family patterns using more complex research designs.