“Jag vill inte vara en bra pappa, jag vill vara en bra förälder”: en kvalitativ intervjustudie om faderskapets paradoxer

In this study we have examined how fathers experience and construct fatherhood in relation to equality, masculinity and fatherhood ideals. With the backdrop of Sweden’s comparatively progressive equality and parenthood politics we have conducted seven semi-structured qualitative interviews with Swedish fathers aged 25-35. We have analysed the material using categorical content analysis with theoretical framework from West and Zimmerman (1987), Connell (2008) and Elliot (2016). We have found that the participants’ experiences of fatherhood are nuanced and diverse, with the transition to fatherhood implying extensive changes to their daily lives, self-image and thoughts on equality. Sweden’s generous parental leave is appreciated by our participants and for many considered an important factor in their fatherhood. Our findings from a Swedish middle-class context indicate an increase in caring masculinities and changes in fatherhood ideals between generations, where fathers do gender and fatherhood in a time when ideals about fatherhood are in flux. We encourage further research in the field and increased support for parents to promote equal parenting