New wave fathers? Oral histories with Australian fathers from the 1970s to 1990s

Using interviews with Australian men who became fathers in the last quarter of the twentieth century, this chapter investigates the circumstances that encouraged or required some young fathers to take seriously a family role that transcended that of the breadwinner and engaged them more seriously in childcare and domestic work. What factors motivated or forced such role shifts, and what factors continued to work against men increasing their contributions within the home? How did men who tried out new ways of fathering experience their role and how were they impacted by the responses of partners, family members, other parents, work colleagues and the wider society? What can we learn from their example that might contribute to current debates about family roles and relationships?.