Description
This book is about how Chinese men make sense of and practise fatherhood within the context of changing gender conventions and socio-cultural conditions. Liong analyses data from participant observations at a men's centre, focus groups, and in-depth interviews, to assess the subjective experience and identities of Chinese fathers in Hong Kong, from a gender perspective. His findings show that economic provision, education, and marriage are the three "natural" and "normal" domains of paternity. Not being able to fulfil these requirements is a threat to fathers' masculinity, yet is also an opportunity for fathers to reflect upon these accepted conventions. In order to compensate, these men typically develop a closer and more caring relationship with their children, however these fathers still struggle with feelings of inferiority.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: Chinese Fatherhood Revisited.- 2. From Control to Care: Historicizing Family and Fatherhood in Hong Kong.- 3. Power of Invisible Care.- 4. The Cultural Parent.- 5. Marrying Masculine Responsibility.- 6. Rethinking Fatherhood
