'This child is a planned baby': skilled migrant fathers and reproductive decision-making

AimThis study analyses discourses that migrant fathers in New Zealand draw on to explain their decision to have a child. BackgroundLittle is known about migrant men's reproductive decisions in the context of contemporary/active fatherhood. DesignA discourse analytic research study. MethodsQualitative research was conducted in 2009 where Chinese and Indian migrant men took part in focus groups. Results/FindingsFathers drew on two key discourses to understand how they became fathers. The first was fatherhood as a financial decision and the second was fatherhood as a natural process. These two discourses are not always congruent. ConclusionUnderstanding the discourses that shape men's decisions to have a child, will enhance nurses' capacity to provide appropriate care and support for migrant families.