Fathers and Stepfathers in Blended Families: Contexts and Vulnerabilities, Needs and Available Services in Quebec

Individuals confront challenges and issues relating to the economic, relational, personal and cultural contexts of vulnerability in which they live out their lives. The present qualitative study examines the nature of the contexts of vulnerability specific to fathers and step-fathers living in blended families and fathers whose ex-partner has reconstituted a family. From the perspective of agents working with such fathers and step-fathers, the study also addressed the needs of such men with respect to the services that are available to them in Quebec. The results allowed a dynamic model of the various contexts of vulnerability to which the fathers and step-fathers are exposed, when there is reconstitution of the family, to be developed. Further to this, certain failings in the services offered them are also discussed within the scope of the article.