Fathering Occupations: An Analysis of Narrative Accounts of Fathering Children with Special Needs

This study examined men's representations of their experiences of raising special needs children through the analysis of fathers' own narratives. Though mothering occupations have been an important subject within occupational science, fathering occupations represent an important aspect of numerous men's lives that has received little attention. Memoirs published by fathers of special needs children between 2000 and 2011 were examined for stories that describe participation in fathering occupations. Narrative methods were employed, with six primary themes emerging: co-created occupations, meaningfulness of the ordinary, importance of communication and forms of socialization, adaptations, distribution of responsibilities, and advocacy. This study contributes to occupational science and the interdisciplinary study of fatherhood through the presentation of the enactment of fatherhood as a meaningful occupation.