Historical Role of the Father: Implications for Childbirth Education

In this analysis we present recent sociological findings and historical information on how fatherhood has changed over time. This is intended to inform childbirth practitioners and those providing childbirth education about macro trends in fathering and implications for practice. We analyze the historical evolution of the western father role with a focus on the U.S., describe current expectations and performance of American fathers with comparisons to their counterparts in other nations, review recent research findings on the health and psychosocial consequences of modern fathering, and present the challenges of modern fatherhood for healthcare practitioners.