FATHERHOOD in the NEIGHBOURHOOD

FATHERHOOD in the NEIGHBOURHOOD: 50 BOYFRIENDS AND HUSBANDS TALK ABOUT THEIR FATHERING Lloyd J. Springer, Counsellor, Sociologist (M. Phil. U.W.I.), Sir Frank Worrell Graduate Scholar for Excellence; First Elder and Family Life Director (Berea and Golan Seventh-day Adventist Churches, East Caribbean Conference). His father had at least 12 children from nine unions, was single, and never resided with him. Contrastingly, Lloyd's 25+ years of marriage to Hyacinth produced their two teenage children, Lee and Lydia. Fatherhood in the Neighbourhood investigates the working-class father's performance of his role toward his children. Organized around the extra-residential union, it paints a complex picture of the conjugal relationships from the men's perspective. The 50 fathers, although confronted by poor wages, claimed that they generally supported their children. Several fathers admitted experiencing severe emotional trauma which caused them to: shed tears; lose their appetite; suffer with insomnia and worry about their children. Most fathers complained bitterly about "vindictive" child-mothers, who prevented them from gaining/maintaining access to their children. They were therefore unable to nurture or effect adequate guidance/discipline over their children. "'Fatherhood' is the first of its kind; that is its significance. No other study has so far been directed at this class of men, and for this reason it will be of considerable interest to students of masculinity and of the African-Caribbean family." Barry Chevannes, Professor Emeritus of Social Anthropology University of the West Indies (U.W.I.), Mona "I have read 'Fatherhood' from cover to cover, and can truly say that it is late in coming to the book-store shelves." Rommel Williams, Working-class father, Auto-body technician "This well-researched and articulately-organized volume provides valuable sociological insights into the causes and effects of extra-residential fatherhood. 'Fatherhood' should be compulsory reading for all sectors of society." Winston K. King, Ph. D., Professor Emeritus, U.W.I., Cave Hill