Prospective Coparenting Among First-Time Expectant Parents: A Cross-National Qualitative Study

SYNOPSISObjective. This study extends current knowledge on coparenting, that is how parents work as a parenting team, by comparing patterns of prospective coparenting (i.e. expectations and worries related to forthcoming coparenting) among expectant parents in three countries varying in their sociocultural contexts. Design. During the third trimester of pregnancy, 30 Finnish, Japanese, and Portuguese heterosexual couples (N = 180) expecting their first child participated in individual semi-structured interviews on their prospective coparenting. A structured coding frame was developed in an iterative process between and within country teams. Results. Both country-general and country-specific patterns in prospective coparenting among Finnish, Japanese and Portuguese expectant couples emerged. Five themes of prospective coparenting across the three countries were identified, providing support for coparenting as a multidimensional construct but also revising knowledge on the relevance of these dimensions among expectant parents. Sociocultural context was reflected in couples’ expectations about the division of parenting responsibilities and in their expectations related to mutual support and agreement on childrearing. Country differences were also identified in how the expectant parents justified their decisions and saw the relative primacy of mothers and fathers in forthcoming coparenting. Conclusions. Parental cooperation in terms of mutual support, team spirit, sharing, and agreeing on childrearing were recognized among prospective parents in the three countries. However, the availability of institutional support, gender and the care regime, and the associated set of values as well as existing work and parenting cultures shaped expectant parents’ future visions of their coparenting.