The changing faces of fatherhood by Germain Dulac, Ph. Our concept of fatherhood is based primarily on childhood memories, mingled with media images of the father retreating into silence. This image of absent fathers, however, cannot be used as a generalization or representation of all fathers. Of course the expectations we face differ from those which confronted our parents. We are experimenting with new ways of being fathers at a time when multiple changes are affecting families, relationships and the work place.
Many people feel they are living through unusual times.
In fact, the transformations in the roles and functions of fathers are not a recent phenomenon. What is special about our time is that our societies have reached a major turning point in history. Though we were still not clear where we were headed, we did know where we were coming from. For example, since the end of the 19th century but particularly in the 20th century, industrialization and urbanization have brought about major but unequal changes in the family and the status of the father. These changes have been amplified throughout this century, occurring in two phases.