6 Questions to Uncover Dads’ Cultural Norms

Understanding the impact and complexity of culture is essential for enhancing your fatherhood program.

Culture is like the Wi-Fi of fatherhood—unseen but always powering how dads behave. It provides the norms that influence dads’ behaviors, including how they parent and connect with their children.

But culture is complex. In any culture, there are subcultures that vary in norms. Examples of subcultures in the United States include those tied to:

• Race or ethnicity, such as African Americans, Arab Americans, and Hispanic Americans.
• Affiliation, such as military branches, athletic teams, political parties, and employment.
• Behavior, such as drug users and bodybuilders.

There are literally hundreds of subcultures! Every dad you serve is part of multiple subcultures.

Learning about the subcultures of the dads you serve and the norms that shape the way they parent is foundational to nurturing healthy group and one-on-one work with them. By asking the right questions, you can uncover the powerful impact of culture on dads and use it to enrich your program.

When you’re ready to present culture to your dads, begin by defining culture and subculture. Then, ask the following six questions. These questions will help you connect with, honor, and support dads on their fatherhood journey.

1. What is your main culture or subculture?
2. How do you celebrate your culture or subculture?
3. What is one cultural norm you learned growing up?
4. What is your approach to raising children in your culture or subculture?
5. What is the role of mothers in your culture or subculture?
6. What is the role of fathers in your culture or subculture?

When asked in order, these questions will help you “drill down” from the general to the specific. They will help you bond and develop trust with the dads because you will gain more credibility by honoring their culture and subcultures. If they trust you, they will be more likely to accept what you share and continue participating in your program.

How are you tapping into the culture of your dads to enhance their growth and learning?

How can you use the 6 questions in this article to enhance your work with dads?

Want to learn more about the impact of culture on dads’ parenting? Check out National Fatherhood Initiative®’s Father Facts® publication, which includes the latest research on the cultural influences on father involvement.