Father–Mother–Child Interactions in Early Childhood (ECD): Insights into Mother Gatekeeping Behaviors in Rural Kenyan Families

Studies show that children of fathers who are actively involved in their care are more confident, emotionally secure, and have better learning outcomes. In Kenya, parenting is undergoing a paradigm shift, with fathers taking on more childcare roles than in the past. Few studies, however, have examined whether father–mother–child interactions in rural African families have changed significantly with this paradigm shift. In this study, we assessed the extent of fathers’ involvement in childcare through the lens of maternal gatekeeping behaviors. We employed a sequential mixed-methods research design in which 39 mothers completed a questionnaire on fathers’ involvement in childcare and mothers’ gatekeeping behaviors. In addition, we engaged eight fathers in a focus group discussion (FGD) in order to elicit their views on their involvement in childcare. We found that fathers were more involved in providing for their children, preschool work, and child discipline. They were least involved in routine duties such as bathing their children. They, however, took their children to church, a role not included in the tool for assessing fathers’ involvement in childcare. All mothers enjoyed caring for their homes and perceived that men did not participate in home care. Fathers indicated that active childcare is primarily the mother’s responsibility, but expressed a willingness to be involved to bond with their children. We found that gendered roles and alcohol addiction by fathers were some of the risk factors for maternal gatekeeping behaviors. Our findings underscore the need for a parenting intervention for both fathers and mothers to enhance their roles in childcare.