Fathers and Sons in the English Middle Class, c. 1870-1920

This book explores the relationship between middle-class fathers and sons in England between 1870 and 1920, focusing on gender and masculinities. It questions how fathers and sons negotiated relationships marked by shifting power, emotional entanglements, obligations, and ties, and assesses fathers' role in moulding masculine identities. It reveals negotiation, compromise, rebellion, and conflict, highlighting the importance of fathers and sons to each other and their relationships to middle-class mens lives and identities.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 238 pages
\n Publication date: 27 April 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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This captivating book delves into the intricate relationship between middle-class fathers and sons in England during the captivating era between c. 1870 and 1920. While it is true that the conventional portrayal of these middle-class paterfamilias as cold and authoritarian may be overly simplistic, there remains a vast array of knowledge yet to be uncovered about the dynamics within middle-class families. With a keen focus on gender and masculinities, this book explores the profound interactions between fathers and sons, unraveling the intricate processes through which masculine identities were shaped and negotiated from infancy to adulthood and even into old age.

To accomplish this, the book draws upon a diverse range of sources, including autobiographies, oral history interviews, First World War conscription records, and press reports of violent incidents. These sources provide a rich tapestry of insights, allowing the reader to gain a deep understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped these relationships. By examining how fathers and sons navigated relationships characterized by shifting power dynamics and diverse combinations of emotional entanglements, obligations, and ties, the book sheds light on the intricate negotiations that took place. It explores the changing dynamics as fathers and sons grew older, assessing the pivotal role that fathers played in shaping their sons' masculine identities, characters, and lives.

Through its meticulous exploration, the book reveals the multifaceted nature of these relationships, encompassing negotiation, compromise, rebellion, and conflict. It emphasizes the significance of fathers and sons to each other, recognizing their relationships as a vital yet often overlooked aspect of middle-class men's lives and identities. This book serves as a valuable contribution to the field of social history, offering a fresh perspective on the complex interplay between gender, class, and family dynamics in late-Victorian England.

\n Weight: 490g\n
Dimension: 157 x 236 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367456948\n \n