Male Involvement in Childcare: A Qualitative Exploration of Men’s Opinion in Nigeria

Traditionally, women assume the sole responsibility of improving child health. The patriarchal nature of the African society gives men more socioeconomic power and control at home, making the importance of investigating male involvement in child-care practices a priority. This study explored the opinions of community dwelling fathers on male involvement in child-care practices.

A community-based study was carried out among fifty-nine married men aged 21-49 years in Sepeteri, Saki East LGA, Oyo State. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted using a FGD guide. We explored the knowledge of childcare practices, men’s roles in childcare and readiness to partake in childcare practices among the participants. The resulting data were analyzed thematically, using direct manual content analysis.

Eight FGDs were conducted among 56 married men, 50 of the respondents believed that mothers are responsible for taking care of the children while men have to provide money and shelter for the family. Willingness to participate in childcare practices was low due to some societal perceptions around male involvement in such activities. However, a few respondents agreed to secretly helping out with household chores.

Male involvement in childcare practices was observed to be poor among the study group. To optimize child health and welfare in our society, there is a need for health education and health promoting-interventions that will enable men participate in childcare practices.