‘Observe and Absorb’: Tracing Fathering Interactions and Practices at Community Dads’ Groups

Community dads’ groups offer a novel environment to observe fathering interactions and practices. Our analysis of observations at these settings alongside semi-structured interviews focuses on the symbolic and social interactions between fathers, the caregiving practices they engaged in with their children and how these interactions influenced their identities. At six dads’ groups we observed several deliberate strategies of social avoidance with other fathers, as well as moments of ‘banter’. Interviews reveal the symbolic meanings of these encounters, indicating that dads’ group spaces, while mostly devoid of ‘chattiness’, nonetheless offer opportunities for fathers to observe the caring practices of others, to learn and modify behaviours in response, and to offer fleeting, gestural support. Our findings contribute insights into the social dynamics within male homosocial settings, demonstrating subtle forms of interaction between men which are important aspects of constructing a fathering identity. Community dads’ groups may help men feel confident in attending structured parenting classes.