Lone parenthood in the COVID-19 context: Israeli single gay fathers' perspective

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Abstract

This article focuses on Israeli single gay fathers, using the Stress Process Model (SPM) as a framework to investigate their fathering experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis of 15 in-depth semi-structured interviews with Israeli single gay fathers during the third national lockdown revealed that their parenting experiences during the pandemic were shaped by both COVID-related stress exposure and interpersonal resources, which the fathers viewed as interactive. These fathers described three main pandemic-specific stressors: financial insecurity and workplace transformation, feelings of loneliness and isolation and health-related fears. Our findings highlight the cumulative effects of these stressors on the fathers' well-being. The fathers also described the ways in which their interpersonal resources (i.e., social networks and strengthened relationship with their children during the pandemic) facilitated their coping with the pandemic-related stressors. The study highlights the need for social workers to recognize the emerging family forms and to broaden their approach to parents during a time of ongoing community crisis, by addressing the differential effects on parents in diverse family structures.

Original languageEnglish
JournalChild and Family Social Work
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • lone parenthood
  • parenting experiences
  • single gay fathers
  • stress
  • stress mediators

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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