Feminists Researching Fathering: What do we see through a reconciliation lens?

Abstract

A reading of the fathering discourses in the Canadian equality feminist communities and the profeminist fathering communities reveals conflicting interests and beliefs, despite a shared goal of "gender equality." This thesis argues that identity conflict theory, most often applied to intractable ethnic and religious conflict, is relevant to the epistemological conflict between equality feminist and profeminist fathering communities. Further to this, it is demonstrated that the literature on the reconciliation of identity conflict can illuminate the challenges and potential for the uptake of a feminist research model focused on reconciliation of this gender-based conflict. Movement along the path toward a reconciliation approach can be seen within equality feminist research communities. The use of a peace and conflict lens to examine gender conflict in Canada draws attention to work being done by reconciliation scholars. This work may provide a map for forward movement toward the reconciliation of gender issues.