What is a good father? The meaning of a good father through sports parenting in South Korea

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to uncover the meanings that constitute a good father within the context of a sports/leisure setting and to analyse how these meanings are enacted in practice. Results showed that the ‘good father’ of today, as perceived by fathers, is a multifaceted construct that is construed through their interactions with other family members. First, fathers constructed the meanings of a good father through the memories of their own fathers during their childhood. Second, fathers constructed the meanings through their relationship with their wives. They regarded sport parenting as an important practice for them to be a good husband to their wives. Finally, fathers constructed the meanings of a good father through their relationships with their children and the time spent with their children was a particularly important requirement for them to fulfil their role as a good father.