“Padri in uniforme”

Il paradosso di una (nuova) genitorialità in cerca di ascolto

Abstract

Military fathers stand at the intersection of two important processes of change: the socio-cultural one – involving fatherhood – and the military institution one. Starting from “father paradox” (Zoja, 2016) and “military paradox” concepts and through a qualitative research approach, the present study explores how these men embody their roles, act the parental function and how (if) they manage to integrate the institution and the family requests, especially when far from home due to missions. Ten interviews were carried out with militaries, fathers of children 3-12 years old. The main emerging themes (the pride in their profession, the desire to be “present” fathers, the need to find a work-family balance) can be the starting point for a parenthood support evaluation within the military institution.