The Perceptions of Mexican-American Men as Fathers

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the lived experience of self-identified
Mexican men as fathers. The sample consists of 47 biological fathers of children
residing in Denver, Colorado, all whom are participating in the Early Head Start
Research and Evaluation Project. The data suggests that these fathers engaged in
traditionally conceptualized fathering roles. These men expressed the importance of
being there, teaching, meeting the child’s needs, being a role model, offering emotional support, and giving affection and love. The fathers reported taking more
responsibility, decreasing substance use, and limiting their leisure activities as a
result of becoming a parent. The results suggest that, fathering in and of itself, may
create resiliency and may have powerful positive influences on the lives of fathers.