Introduction

The Nordic countries have been a global touchstone for policymakers and academics concerned with encouraging the greater participation of fathers in childcare and gender equality. They have led the way in devising work–family policy innovation, and attempts to emulate (under the banner of taking a ‘Nordic turn’) are occurring across Europe (Erler, 2009) and in other regions of the world (Chin et al, 2011). This collection represents a very welcome addition to the international scholarship on fathers, because, despite over half a century of pioneering research (Haas and Hwang, 2013), there have been few books solely devoted to Nordic fathers, and none representing the full range of Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The breadth and depth of new knowledge about the state of contemporary Nordic fathers is impressive; there is insight into the institutional context in which fathers shape their personal, family and working lives together with specific studies of men's experiences as fathers.

This brief chapter focuses on a common theme cutting across many chapters – the growing diversity and complexity of the household and family relationships of Nordic men with partners and children. While all Nordic governments promote a dual earner/dual carer social democratic welfare state model emphasising the active participation of fathers in childcare, variations in policy and family practices exist. Differences are connected to historical and cultural legacies within and between the five countries, but wider international factors are also driving diversity. The impact of migration on fathering practices is a source of diversity addressed by some of the authors. Similarly, how post-separation fatherhood is managed and negotiated in Nordic families reveals challenges to a shared parenting ideal. Finally, the qualitative studies of gay fathers and role-reversal heterosexual fathers offer insights into ‘doing’ Nordic fatherhood in diverse contexts.

Migration and moving from homogeneity

Over the last 20 years, as international migration has increased, the Nordic region has become an affluent receiving destination for many families following political unrest in Africa and Asia (Haour-Knipe, 2011).