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Education on issues surrounding fatherhood in Canadian universities

Résumé/Abstract

A significant number of researchers and clinical practitioners have been focusing on the development of the father’s role within the family, particularly in regard to parental involvement. Yet a pan-Canadian study of university curricula in nursing conducted in 2002 showed that, in 68 institutions offering nursing training at the undergraduate level, few courses specifically or indirectly addressed fathers or fatherhood. Another study on 30 undergraduate students in nursing, midwifery, and social work showed that students felt uncomfortable dealing with fathers, especially in more critical emotional moments. These studies led a group of Quebec researchers to develop a graduate interdisciplinary course on issues related to fatherhood. This article briefly presents the results of the two studies mentioned and provides an overview of the proposed course. The implications for future development of teaching curricula are discussed.