So Close, Yet So Far: Fathering in Canada and the United States

Fathers matter. They matter in numerous domains of life. In families, fathers benefit children and co-parents alike. Communities, politics, and social institutions are all influenced by fathers. Because of these wide-ranging influences, there is considerable interest in developing social policies that increase paternal engagement at home. Yet our knowledge about the effects of different policies for improving father involvement is lacking. In So Close, Yet So Far, Kevin Shafer explores fatherhood in Canada and the United States two countries with many historical and cultural similarities, but very different approaches to family policy. Drawing from quantitative data and analysis, the book shows that Canadian fathers are outperforming their American counterparts across numerous dimensions of father involvement, including caregiving, warmth, and social support. Shafer suggests that paid family leave, universal healthcare, and direct, monthly child tax credits all play an important role in helping Canadian fathers actively engage with their children and families. So Close, Yet So Far provides a roadmap for understanding how to increase father involvement and engagement through public policies, community programs, and workplace characteristics.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Part I: The Context of Parenting 1. Social Forces and Fathering 2. What Fathers Do and Why It Matters 3. The Canadian and American Context Part II: Comparing Fathers in North America 4. Comparing Canadian and American Fathers 5. Fathers as Co-parents 6. Health and Fathering in North America 7. Fathering and Work in North America 8. Comparing Fathers in Canada and the United States Works Cited Methodological Appendix Acknowledgments

About the Author :
Kevin Shafer is a professor of sociology and director of Canadian Studies at Brigham Young University.

Review :
"Although Canada and the United States share the world's longest land border - almost 9,000 kilometres - Kevin Shafer's So Close, Yet So Far reveals a palpable distance in the political, institutional, and socio-cultural conditions of fatherhood in these two countries. This compelling and timely book makes the case that Canada provides an "aspirational tale" on fathering, while the US yields a "cautionary" one. It's a must-read for fathering, family, and social policy researchers." - Andrea Doucet, Canada Research Chair in Gender, Work, and Care, and Professor of Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies, Brock University "In So Close, Yet So Far, Kevin Shafer provides a nuanced comparison of Canadian versus American men's fathering. Richly capturing how context matters - including policies, work institutions, religion, cultural beliefs, and more - Shafer tells the comprehensive and complex story of fathering and work-family life in these neighbouring nations. Packed with unique data and meaningful insights, the book helps illuminate the structural reasons why Canadian fathers are more involved with children, more egalitarian, and less stressed than their American counterparts." - Melissa Milkie, Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto, and author of Changing Rhythms of American Family Life "Shafer's approach to compare fathering in two similar countries illustrates how slight variations in social supports, culture, and institutional contexts can lead to striking differences in fathers' behaviours. The book provides a detailed, comprehensive analysis to show how and why Canadian fathers are more involved parents than American fathers, providing useful insight to scholars, policymakers, and parents interested in increasing father involvement." - Richard J. Petts, Professor of Sociology, Ball State University "Shafer's groundbreaking cross-national study comparing fathers in Canada and the US reveals a surprising array of differences, drawing attention to historical, socio-cultural, and political distinctions between the two nations. It is a must-read for family scholars that forces us to look beyond the attitudes and behaviours of individual fathers to the broader forces that shape - and too often constrain - their ability to engage actively and positively with children and forge equal partnerships with mothers." - Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, Professor of Psychology, Ohio State University