Abstract

Constructions of fatherhood are key signifiers of masculinity/ies and, in the context of a new politics of fatherhood, these constructions have been articulated in opposition both to motherhood and femininity/ies and to ideas of the ‘deadbeat dad’ (Collier 2006, Gavanas 2004, Kaye and Tolmie 1998). The fathers’ rights movement has contributed to this redefinition of fatherhood. In the case of the UK group, Fathers 4 Justice, the central message is that ‘Dads aren’t Demons [and] Mums aren’t Madonnas’ fathers-4-justice.org). The paper draws on in-depth interviews conducted with members of the fathers’ rights group, Real Fathers for Justice/Fathers 4 Justice, to explore and illustrate the conceptions of fatherhood underpinning the campaign. My analysis of the interviews suggests that there is indeed an anxiety to distinguish ‘good’ from ‘bad’ fathers and also to underline the need for fathers by highlighting the existence of ‘bad’
mothers. In addition, conceptions of the good father expressed in the interviews can be further subdivided into the ‘nurturing father’, the ‘father as superhero’ and the ‘good enough father’.