Grant: Operating Grant

Unintentional injuries, such as car crashes and falls, are the leading health concern - more Canadian children and youth die of injuries than from all other causes combined. Gender and geography have a significant impact on injury rates, with males and rural residents at greater risk. Parents play a large role in limiting children's injury risks. Fathers and mothers parenting roles are different in ways that may influence their attitudes and practices regarding child injury prevention. For example, fathers may allow children to engage in activities that mothers may consider dangerous. Fathers' unique role in encouraging exploration and risk taking requires investigation. Fathering is impacted by notions of masculinity, which is in turn influenced by broader contexts such as geography, society, and family. Our research questions address how fathering as it relates to childhood unintentional injury prevention is influenced by perceptions of masculinity, gender roles and contextual factors. We will be interviewing fathers and mothers of children aged 2 to 7 years to better understand fathering related to child unintentional injury prevention. The places we will be studying include rural and urban areas in British Columbia and Quebec. The results will help build theory, and guide research and prevention efforts. Findings will be applied to parenting programs, will help target prevention efforts and develop evidence-based policies and programs.