Expectativas e sentimentos em relação à paternidade entre adolescentes e adultos

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine eventual similarities and particularities of expectations and feelings concerning fatherhood among adolescents and adults who expected their first child. Twenty-three future fathers (12 adolescents and 11 adults), participated in the research and they were interviewed at their homes in the third quarter of their partners' pregnancy. The answers were examined through qualitative content analysis, based on four thematic categories (relationship with the baby and performance of the father's role, child rasing, baby care and personal changes). The results revealed more similarities than particularities between the two groups. Adolescents and adults indicated positive expectations concerning relationship with the baby and fatherhood, despite some doubt as to their capacity in their role as fathers. These results suggest that age is not necessarily a determinant factor in expectations and feelings associated with the transition to fatherhood.