Images of Fathers by Younger Generation in Modern Fiction: Socio-Psychological Analysis

Abstract

The study of the role of a father in the life of the younger generation is becoming relevant in the world community. This topic is discussed by psychologists, educators, philosophers, and sociologists, and contemporary authors invisibly join this discussion. The purpose of the article is to explore what influence fathers have on the formation of children-heroes and to analyze the socio-psychological types of paternal images in the pages of modern prose. This study used a content analysis design and qualitative approach to analyze data. In addition, quantitative analysis was also used to visualize qualitative data using numerical values and fix elements of text content (frequency of different types of fathers). Seven literary works were used as data sources. Results show images of fathers who, due to their work, neglect raising their children, or hero-fathers who are edifying, demanding, and suppress individuality, but there are also fathers who are loving, caring, and who have a beneficial effect on children. In addition, socio-psychological analysis reveals three types of “literary images”: the not-at-home father, father-judge, and father-friend. The authors show that modern writers of prose for adolescents are reflecting on the influence of paternity on children, and they confirm the opinion of researchers that the social environment changes the types of fathers both in life and in literature. The type of the not-at-home father has become widespread. This socio-psychological type of a father forms such traits in the child as irritability, vulnerability, excessive emotionality, and shame for the father.