Social representations of fatherhood: a comparative study

Abstract Fatherhood can be understood as a social construction. It has been going through modifications in the way it is experienced and exercised due to social movements. This study aimed to compare social representations of fatherhood in the years of 2004 and 2014. 17 testimonies from ‘Conversa de Homem’ section of - Pais & Filhos, magazine were used. It was identified that in each socio-historical moment the father presents different types of preoccupations, according to the social demands and personal issues. Man seems increasingly interested in the children’s universe, seeking more knowledge in order to be inserted in a participatory role in the lives of children. Besides, the father prepares himself for fatherhood. This greater involvement contributes to a subjective transformation of man as a person.