The Empty Nest as a Phase of Fatherhood

Research indicates that men’s involvement in childcare and upbringing has increased and has gained greater significance in their personal lives. However, in comparison to women, men still primarily serve as the main providers for their families, and their professional careers remain central to their identities. Additionally, the risk of being negatively judged as parents is generally lower for men. This chapter explores the changing role of fathers in the context of the empty nest transition. We conducted interviews with couples whose children have left home (in France and Poland, corpus A), as well as with fathers specifically (in Poland, corpus B). Through thematic analysis, we examined the transformations occurring in the father’s role during this transition. Unlike mothers, fathers tend to have a less vigilant approach to monitoring their child’s well-being. They engage in tasks and activities within the masculine domain, such as DIY projects in their children’s former living spaces. Additionally, fathers take the opportunity to foster a more equal and friendly relationship with their adult child, assuming a role as their “buddy” and advisor.