The modelling of masculinities and the construction of fatherhood in contemporary Uganda: A case of Kampala City

Abstract

This study was conducted to contribute to a significant gap in development research by investigating how intra-household relations could help reduce unequal development. The aim of the study then was to determine how the modeling of masculinities influenced the construction of fatherhood. This was done by looking at the process through which men became fathers and the expectations therein. It involved rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis of models of masculinity, attitudes of fathers in childcare and societal expectations of men in the media. The respondents and newspaper samples were purposively selected.

The findings of this study highlight issues that should be of serious concern in gender studies, and social policy making. Analysis found that masculinity was overwhelmingly represented and modeled predominantly with provision, decision making, and ensuring discipline but not with active participation in childcare. This study concludes that masculinity models pose ways for boys to become male adults but provides no models for becoming fathers. Hence, there are clear expectations for men as portrayed in the media but for fathers none and it is sufficient that they fit the ‘masculine’ label. This makes fatherhood and childcare to be trivialized in regard to masculinity and the potential implications are discussed in light of fathers’ increased involvement in childcare to provide models and set clear expectations for fathers. The influence of the media, men’s sexuality, and patriarchy were proposed as areas for further study.