"New Fathers" with more Time for their Children?

What changes have there been in the self-images of fathers and grandfathers in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, and likewise in their role in raising children - and why? These questions are the focus of a research project on and carried out at Heidelberg University's Department of History. The project entitled "Time with (Grand)Parents" analyses the period from 1960 to 1990, which was characterised by economic crises and new social movements. A parallel blog aims to supplement the project's thematic focus by interdisciplinary perspectives and related research topics. Traditional ways of life such as the nuclear family and the related role distribution of breadwinner-housewife or main and secondary money earner were called into question in West Germany from the 1960s onwards, particularly during the women's movement. From this context developed the ideal of the "new father" as one who gets involved in childcare. Restricting the father's employment in favour of family time was an issue first discussed in society, as well. "We are focusing both on the norms and forms of maleness in this period and on men's parental relations with their children and grandchildren," underlines project leader Katja Patzel-Mattern from the Department of History.