Contextualizing father involvement and paternal influence: Sociological and qualitative themes

We clarify the basic features of a sociological perspective as it relates t o the study of fathers' involvement with, and influence on, their children. Our analysis emphasizes the dynamic interplay between social structures an d processes at the macro, meso, and micro levels while focusing on social p sychological issues. We examine (a) the social, organizational, and cultura l contexts for fathering, (b) fathers' social capital contributions, (c) th e construction and maintenance of father identities, and (d) fathering as a co-constructed accomplishment. These foci draw attention to how father inv olvement is affected by race, gender, economic considerations and a father' s relationships with his child's mother and others in the community. We als o examine how reflected appraisals of others may affect how a man perceives himself as a father. Relying heavily on qualitative approaches such as in- depth interviews, discourse analysis, interpretive practice, narrative prac tice, and dramaturgy, we suggest a number of ways a sociological lens can i nform our understanding of father involvement.