Fathers singing with children and the bonds they create

What role does singing have in fostering positive relationships between fathers and their young children? Researchers from Aalborg University and Aarhus University in Denmark explored this question through a series of open-ended interviews that took place between November 2022 and February 2023. Fathers were recruited for the study through ‘Singing, Language, and Togetherness’ workshops, which provide fun music-themed activities for children aged 0-2 in public spaces such as local libraries. Initially, only mothers attended the groups, and were asked to recruit fathers to sit down for informal interviews. In total, only eight fathers between the ages of 25-45 took part. Data was examined using Ricoeur’s ‘theory of interpretation’ with a focus on naïve reading, structural analysis, and comprehensive understanding. Findings revealed that while fathers often didn’t attend the music workshops, items at home like songbooks and rattles helped to motivate communication and interaction with their children. Some fathers did express interest in music-themed activities like the ‘Singing, Language, and Togetherness’ Workshop, but worried about being vulnerable as they didn’t know all the songs or wondered if such activities were ‘for men’. Researchers found that music and singing acted as a way for fathers to foster a deep connection with their children – something that may have been lacking with their own fathers. As explained by one participant “my father worked a lot—I can’t remember my father singing, chatting at the breakfast table. We do this every day. This is a priority.” More information on this study can be found here.