A qualitative content analysis on the portrayal of fathers in films released between 2016 and 2021

Abstract

This research project analysesreflects the topics I focused on whilst reading for the Masters in Gender, Society and Culture, which is fatherhood and masculinity. I examined these in film to incorporate my other passion and to acknowledge film’s importance in popular culture, representation, and ideology formation. This study examines fatherhood portrayal in 2016 – 2021 films. The research involved a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of 46 films. Postfeminist, traditional, toxic, ambiguous, and older fathers were portrayed in the study. Seven themes emerged from watching films about fathers and father-child relationships: the present father at the expense of the mother; fathers as protectors/providers; the father’s legacy; fatherhood: negotiable participation and role; the father as the lesser-resilient parent; the child’s longing and adoration for the father, and parentification.