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Fatherhood in Egypt: Identity Formation and Role Theory Perspectives
Fatherhood is a central yet under-researched dimension of family life in Egypt, particularly from a psychological and identity-based perspective. This study explores how Egyptian fathers construct and experience fatherhood through the lenses of identity theory and role theory. Using a qualitative re...
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AUC Knowledge Fountain
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613433492406272 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Gawdat, Mahmoud Nasr |
| author_browse | Gawdat, Mahmoud Nasr |
| author_facet | Gawdat, Mahmoud Nasr |
| author_sort | Gawdat, Mahmoud Nasr |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Fatherhood is a central yet under-researched dimension of family life in Egypt, particularly from a psychological and identity-based perspective. This study explores how Egyptian fathers construct and experience fatherhood through the lenses of identity theory and role theory. Using a qualitative research design, seven focus groups were conducted with 43 Egyptian fathers to examine the meanings they attribute to fatherhood, their perceived roles, challenges, support systems, and personal transformations. Thematic analysis revealed six interconnected themes: (1) describing the father’s role, (2) learning the father role, (3) social and cultural influences on the father role, (4) meaning of being a father, (5) challenges and difficulties with the father role, and (6) support systems for the father role. Findings indicated that fatherhood constitutes a core identity for participants, shaped by emotional bonds, moral responsibility, religious values, and intergenerational experiences. Fathers experienced significant role strain arising from economic pressures, work–family conflict, limited institutional support, and cultural expectations surrounding masculinity and emotional expression. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated strong reflective capacity and aspiration toward more emotionally engaged and nurturing forms of fatherhood. The study underscores the dynamic interaction between identity and role processes in shaping Egyptian fatherhood and highlights a critical gap in father-focused psychosocial and policy support. Implications for family policy, mental health services, and culturally grounded fatherhood interventions in Egypt are discussed. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:fount.aucegypt.edu:etds-3793 |
| institution | American University in Cairo (Egypt) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:04.472Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from AUC Knowledge Fountain — bepress |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | AUC Knowledge Fountain |
| publisherStr | AUC Knowledge Fountain |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | AUC Knowledge Fountain — bepress |
| spelling | oai:fount.aucegypt.edu:etds-3793 Fatherhood in Egypt: Identity Formation and Role Theory Perspectives Gawdat, Mahmoud Nasr Fatherhood is a central yet under-researched dimension of family life in Egypt, particularly from a psychological and identity-based perspective. This study explores how Egyptian fathers construct and experience fatherhood through the lenses of identity theory and role theory. Using a qualitative research design, seven focus groups were conducted with 43 Egyptian fathers to examine the meanings they attribute to fatherhood, their perceived roles, challenges, support systems, and personal transformations. Thematic analysis revealed six interconnected themes: (1) describing the father’s role, (2) learning the father role, (3) social and cultural influences on the father role, (4) meaning of being a father, (5) challenges and difficulties with the father role, and (6) support systems for the father role. Findings indicated that fatherhood constitutes a core identity for participants, shaped by emotional bonds, moral responsibility, religious values, and intergenerational experiences. Fathers experienced significant role strain arising from economic pressures, work–family conflict, limited institutional support, and cultural expectations surrounding masculinity and emotional expression. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated strong reflective capacity and aspiration toward more emotionally engaged and nurturing forms of fatherhood. The study underscores the dynamic interaction between identity and role processes in shaping Egyptian fatherhood and highlights a critical gap in father-focused psychosocial and policy support. Implications for family policy, mental health services, and culturally grounded fatherhood interventions in Egypt are discussed. 2026-06-11T07:00:00Z thesis application/pdf https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2730 https://fount.aucegypt.edu/context/etds/article/3793/viewcontent/mahmoud_nasr_gawdat_thesis.pdf Theses and Dissertations AUC Knowledge Fountain fatherhood identity theory role theory Egyptian fathers qualitative research masculinity parenting Community Psychology |
| spellingShingle | fatherhood identity theory role theory Egyptian fathers qualitative research masculinity parenting Community Psychology Gawdat, Mahmoud Nasr Fatherhood in Egypt: Identity Formation and Role Theory Perspectives |
| title | Fatherhood in Egypt: Identity Formation and Role Theory Perspectives |
| title_full | Fatherhood in Egypt: Identity Formation and Role Theory Perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Fatherhood in Egypt: Identity Formation and Role Theory Perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fatherhood in Egypt: Identity Formation and Role Theory Perspectives |
| title_short | Fatherhood in Egypt: Identity Formation and Role Theory Perspectives |
| title_sort | fatherhood in egypt identity formation and role theory perspectives |
| topic | fatherhood identity theory role theory Egyptian fathers qualitative research masculinity parenting Community Psychology |
| url | https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2730 https://fount.aucegypt.edu/context/etds/article/3793/viewcontent/mahmoud_nasr_gawdat_thesis.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gawdatmahmoudnasr fatherhoodinegyptidentityformationandroletheoryperspectives |