Factors Contributing to First-Time Fathers' Readiness for Fatherhood: An Exploratory Study

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study of the social-psychological experience of first-time expectant fatherhood. Twenty fathers were interviewed intensively, and 80 others more informally, regarding factors which contributed or detracted from their emotional readiness for fatherhood. Men identified the following factors as contributing to readiness for fatherhood: a sense of stability in the couple relationship, relative financial security, and a sense of closure to the childless part of the couple relationship. The impact of relative or complete unreadiness on the man's adjustment to pregnancy is outlined, and implications for practice and future research discussed.