In some men, having traditional masculine characteristics such as competitiveness and adventurousness was linked to being better fathers and good parents to infants, a new study suggested. The findings of the study were published in the journal Psychology of Men and Masculinities. But the men in this study – highly educated and from dual-earner couples – combined those stereotypically masculine traits with the belief that they should be nurturing, highly involved fathers. The researchers were surprised that traits often seen as old-fashioned male stereotypes were linked to more positive parenting behaviours, said study lead author Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, professor of psychology at The Ohio State University. It suggests that some men are looking for new ways to be fathers, Schoppe-Sullivan said.“These men are combining traditional aspects of masculinity with new nurturing ideals to create new fathering identities. They may be in …

Read More »