Journals / Mersin Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 19 Sayı: 1

Male university students’ perceptions of ınfant care: a qualitative study

Erkek üniversite öğrencilerinin bebek bakımı algısı: nitel çalışma

Pages
11–21
Publication Date
2026-03-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Training programs should be planned in prenatal schools and post-marital counseling services to enhance the knowledge levels of future fathers regarding baby care.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: Transformations in gender roles are reshaping expectations regarding men's family roles.
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Key Findings & Data:The study was carried out between April and June 2023 with 18 male university students.
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Conclusion & Impact:Training programs should be planned in prenatal schools and post-marital counseling services to enhance the knowledge levels of future fathers regarding baby care.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2023 Verileri
⚙️Variables:öğrenci · baba · bebek bakımı

Abstract

Aim: Transformations in gender roles are reshaping expectations regarding men's family roles. Traditionally, the responsibility of infant care has been attributed to mothers, but today it is increasingly shared with fathers. This change makes it crucial to understand the attitudes and perceptions of future fathers towards child care. Particularly, the views of male university students on this topic are noteworthy within the context of preparing for fatherhood and societal norms. This study aims to conduct an in-depth examination of male university students' perceptions of infant care. Methods: This research was conducted with a descriptive phenomenological design. The study was carried out between April and June 2023 with 18 male university students. Research data were collected through in-depth individual interviews using a semi-structured form. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Four themes were identified as a result of the analysis of the findings: “Perceptions of the Concept of Spousal Support,” “Perceptions of Participation in Baby Care,” “Perceptions of the Breastfeeding Process,” and “Effects of Fathers’ Participation in Care on Parent-Baby Bonding.” The men stated that participating in baby care would support their spouses, make the breastfeeding process more comfortable for their partners, and positively affect parent-child bonding. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that men believe participating in baby care supports their spouses and positively impacts the postpartum process. Training programs should be planned in prenatal schools and post-marital counseling services to enhance the knowledge levels of future fathers regarding baby care.

Özet

Amaç: Toplumsal cinsiyet rollerindeki dönüşümler, erkeklerin aile içi rollerine dair beklentileri de yeniden şekillendirmektedir. Geleneksel olarak annelere atfedilen bebek bakımı sorumluluğu, günümüzde babalarla daha fazla paylaşılmaktadır. Bu değişim, gelecekte baba olacak bireylerin çocuk bakımına ilişkin tutum ve algılarının anlaşılmasını önemli hale getirmektedir. Özellikle üniversite dönemindeki erkek bireylerin bu konudaki görüşleri, babalığa hazırlık süreci ve toplumsal normlar bağlamında dikkate değerdir. Bu çalışma, erkek üniversite öğrencilerinin bebek bakımına yönelik algılarını derinlemesine incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı fenomenolojik tasarımdaki araştırma, Nisan‐Haziran 2023 tarihleri arasında üniversitede öğrenim gören 18 erkek ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma verileri yarı yapılandırılmış form kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Bulgular: Analiz sonucunda; “Eş Desteği Kavramına Yönelik Algılar” “Bebeğin Bakımına Katılıma Yönelik Algılar” “Emzirme Sürecine Yönelik Algılar” ve “Babaların Bakıma Katılımının Ebeveyn-Bebek Bağına Etkileri” temaları belirlenmiştir. Erkekler bebek bakımına katılma ile eşlerine destek olacaklarını, eşlerinin emzirme sürecinin daha konforlu geçeceğini ve bu durumun da ebeveyn bağlılığını etkileyeceğini belirtmişlerdir. Sonuç: Erkeklerin bebek bakımına katılması ile eşlerini destekleyecekleri ve doğum sonu sürece olumlu yönde etkileri olduğunu düşündükleri tespit edilmiştir. Geleceğin babalarına gebe okullarında, evlilik sonrası danışmanlık hizmetlerinde bebek bakımı ile ilgili bilgi düzeylerini artırmaya yönelik eğitimler planlanmalıdır.

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Cite This Article

Bal, S., Şahin, F. R., İşeri, S., Çifçi, İ., Ayçiçek, Ü., *, S. B. (2026). Male university students’ perceptions of ınfant care: a qualitative study. Mersin Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 19 Sayı: 1, 11–21. https://doi.org/10.26559/mersinsbd.1721563

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