Redefining Paternal Identity in Family Transitions: The Experience of Divorced Fathers in Social Housing Projects in Italy

Separations and divorces have been affecting an increasing number of Italian families, though the Italian divorce rate remains low if compared with other Eu countries. Divorce is a complex and challenging transition that requires a reorganization of all family relationships and roles, as both adults and children need to adjust to a new life situation (Amato, 2010; Bertoni, Iafrate, Carrà, & Valls-Vidal, 2015). This chapter focus of how the experience of separation/divorce impacts fathers identity and practices, especially for those fathers who do not live with their children after divorce and also experienced difficulties in gaining access to another home. Housing poverty represents a risk factor associated with divorce in Italy and a new and emerging phenomenon: social housing project has raised to provide divorced fathers a temporary housing solution. The research questions addressed by this study were: how do fathers re-define their role and identity after divorce? How involvement in children growth and education is re- settled and which reflexivity supports these fathers. The study, conducted in 2017 in Italy, involved qualitative interviews with 36 separated fathers, aged between 30 and 78, who are at the time of the interview or have been guests in reception facilities (co-housing, communities, shared houses).