Junge Väter in seelischen Krisen

Emotional crises among young fathers are a taboo subject. However, not only mothers but also fathers are confronted with emotional issues during the time before and after birth: they may feel redundant and frustrated, and some may fall into an emotional crisis. Fatherhood can indeed enrich male identity; Egon Garstick demonstrates how young fathers—and the whole family—can be supported. There are repeatedly frustrated fathers who feel devalued and unnecessary due to the close emotional bond between mother and baby. It is not uncommon for them to resort to drinking before or after the birth of their child or even become sexually aggressive—as an expression of emotional crises. They experience early childhood feelings of dependency, develop entitlement attitudes, and tend to regress, meaning they revert to behaviors and fears from earlier stages of life.