Becoming a father: a qualitative analysis of paternal practices of Emirati fathers
1
Institute of Public Health (IPH), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
2
Ministry of Family, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3
Emirates Center for Happiness Research, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
4
School of Health Sciences, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Engaged and supportive partners positively impact maternal and child wellbeing1,2. The study aimed to examine the Emirati father role and involvement in mother and child wellbeing.
METHODS:
A qualitative phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews of 17 Emirati mothers recruited from an ongoing the Mutaba’ah cohort study3, and 8 Emirati fathers recruited from community.
RESULTS:
Key themes extracted include “gendered norms and expectations, and evolving paternal practice”, “the Emirati father role beyond provision”, and “challenges and struggles of an Emirati father”. Beliefs around parenting responsibilities among Emirati families are changing, yet this shift is often not put into practice. In Emirati households, traditional patriarchal dynamics are more apparent, with mothers assuming most caregiving responsibilities and making key decisions regarding the children well-being. Fathers are expected to be responsible for finance in the household. Interviewed mothers observed that fathers rarely experienced changes to their daily life, because of having a family. However, fathers, discussed the challenges of balancing work and social commitments. In cases of fathers’ location of work in other cities or they are absent for extended periods, both reported that fathers make efforts to maintain contact with their families. Despite these efforts, mothers frequently referred to their husbands as ‘weekend fathers,’ highlighting the limited nature of their involvement. Interestingly, fathers expressed a desire to participate more actively; however, they claimed that societal norms hindered involvement. Mothers expressed a need for support and highlighted the struggle of fathers to set priorities. This further contributes to challenges in the equal distribution of caregiving responsibilities, as both parents navigate their lives through modern parenting demands.
CONCLUSIONS:
Traditional gender norms persist within Emirati communities with mothers assuming most of the responsibilities. Hence, there is a need for targeted interventions to increase paternal involvement and a push towards equitable roles within Emirati households.
Engaged and supportive partners positively impact maternal and child wellbeing1,2. The study aimed to examine the Emirati father role and involvement in mother and child wellbeing.
METHODS:
A qualitative phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews of 17 Emirati mothers recruited from an ongoing the Mutaba’ah cohort study3, and 8 Emirati fathers recruited from community.
RESULTS:
Key themes extracted include “gendered norms and expectations, and evolving paternal practice”, “the Emirati father role beyond provision”, and “challenges and struggles of an Emirati father”. Beliefs around parenting responsibilities among Emirati families are changing, yet this shift is often not put into practice. In Emirati households, traditional patriarchal dynamics are more apparent, with mothers assuming most caregiving responsibilities and making key decisions regarding the children well-being. Fathers are expected to be responsible for finance in the household. Interviewed mothers observed that fathers rarely experienced changes to their daily life, because of having a family. However, fathers, discussed the challenges of balancing work and social commitments. In cases of fathers’ location of work in other cities or they are absent for extended periods, both reported that fathers make efforts to maintain contact with their families. Despite these efforts, mothers frequently referred to their husbands as ‘weekend fathers,’ highlighting the limited nature of their involvement. Interestingly, fathers expressed a desire to participate more actively; however, they claimed that societal norms hindered involvement. Mothers expressed a need for support and highlighted the struggle of fathers to set priorities. This further contributes to challenges in the equal distribution of caregiving responsibilities, as both parents navigate their lives through modern parenting demands.
CONCLUSIONS:
Traditional gender norms persist within Emirati communities with mothers assuming most of the responsibilities. Hence, there is a need for targeted interventions to increase paternal involvement and a push towards equitable roles within Emirati households.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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