fatherhood

[ fah-ther-hood ]

noun

1. the state of being a father.
2. fathers collectively.
3. the qualities or spirit of a father.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fatherhood¹

1350–1400; late Middle English faderhode; replacing Middle English faderheed. See father, -hood

Example Sentences

But he did not have a true concept of fatherhood and taking care of a baby until he began to go through it himself.

From Los Angeles Times

That is toxic masculinity embodied: believing "fatherhood" is about contributing the DNA and putting your name on a birth certificate, but nothing more.

From Salon

She was just the flower girl at a wedding in San Diego the other night, and watching that, you know so much about fatherhood just doing that.

From Salon

“Don’t you ever ... play with my motherhood or my ex-husband’s fatherhood.”

From Los Angeles Times

Salon Food had the opportunity to speak with Ford about his balancing fatherhood and restaurant life, his time on "Top Chef," what led him to farming, how food and cooking initially captured him and more.

From Salon

Related Words

• parenthood

More About Fatherhood

What does fatherhood mean?

Fatherhood is the state of being a father.

A person enters fatherhood when they become a father. This most commonly happens when their child is born, but it can also happen through adoption or by marrying or becoming a partner to someone with children.

Fatherhood is a gender-specific version of the term parenthood.

Less commonly, fatherhood can refer to all fathers collectively, as in You won’t find a better dad in all of fatherhood. 

Example: People who have not experienced fatherhood probably shouldn’t be so quick to criticize how dads parent their children.

Where does fatherhood come from?

The first records of the word fatherhood come from around 1400. The suffix -hood indicates a state or condition—in this case, the state of being a father. It’s used in the same way in words like motherhood, parenthood, adulthood, and childhood.

Unlike adulthood, the start of fatherhood is very definite—it begins when a person becomes a father. After that, most fathers consider fatherhood to be a permanent state that lasts even after their children have grown up. In other words, once you become a father, you never stop being one. Fatherhood is usually considered very challenging due to all the difficulties of raising children, but it’s usually also considered very rewarding. It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love, as the saying goes.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for fatherhood?

• paternity

What are some words that share a root or word element with fatherhood? 

• father
• motherhood
• parenthood
• childhood

What are some words that often get used in discussing fatherhood?

• child
• children
• kids
• responsibility
• joy
• marriage
• single

How is fatherhood used in real life?

The word fatherhood is often associated with the many challenges that it involves.

The joys and challenges of black fatherhood – through the lens of NBA dads – via @ESPN App https://t.co/oVHvDdEHkx

— Wynne (@wynnetj55) November 18, 2020

Seeing your brothers/sisters enter fatherhood/motherhood is by far one the greatest gifts of life 🎁💙#OMM

— #LakersIn4 (@MrLee_02) January 2, 2019

I’m grateful for adoption and the gift of Fatherhood. #givethanks pic.twitter.com/Dk20ZdHcFh

— Camren Applegate (@CamrenApplegate) November 20, 2020

 

 

Try using fatherhood!

True or False?

Fatherhood is usually thought to end when a father’s child is an adult.