Abstract

Single-parent family is one of the rapidest growth type among the change of family structure in the transforming society. The inferiority of finance situation of female in single-parent family is of more concerned. While the role of the male in a single-parent family draws more attentions not until recently. Male or female plays roles substantially different in the society. Male is expected to be the provider in raising family. While being in the single family, male has also to be a counselor in dealing with emotion other than provider. Male, in single-parent family, faces various kinds of problems in the family as well as try to be competent in becoming a father.

The methodology adopted in this study is qualitative inquire by in-depth interview, and ten single fathers were involved. It is the purpose to try find out how the financial situation, the social and economical status, the assistance from the original family and from female others, will affect the single-parent family. Four different types of male are resulted from the aforementioned factors:「while-collar with female others assistance」、「blue-collar with female others assistance」、「while-collar without female others assistance」、「blue-collar without female others assistance」。These four type of male affected further by other causes, and they show significant differences in the area:「the competence of job and the household affairs and social inter-personal network」, 「the relationship with kid」, 「the emotion and a father does mothering in a single parent family」, and 「the asking for assistance」, as being a father in single-parent family. Differences are described and discussed in this thesis. It is found that whether there is any change in masculinity in the course of single father parenting this will cause the quality of parenthood. It will result single father’s parenthood in traditional type、transitional type or involvement.