The study explored Afro-Jamaican fathers’ perspectives on their fathering identity and the
socialization of values with a focus on middle childhood. Specifically, I examined the roles and
responsibilities that the fathers included in their fathering identity, the values that were instilled
when the fathers were children and the values that the fathers wanted for their children, and how
the fathers promoted values. The study utilized a thematic analysis methodology from a social
constructivist perspective to analyse 10 semi-structured interviews with fathers between 28 and
37 years of age. I explored their perspectives in three areas: (a) construction of fathering identity,
(b) perspectives on socialization of values, and (c) perceived factors that affect their socialization
of values. The current study contributes to a deeper understanding of Afro-Jamaican fathering
identity and socialization of values. There were three main empirical contributions. The study
revealed that the fathering identity of Afro-Jamaican fathers was not limited to the behavioural
dimension which is the primary areas of exploration in the fathering literature (Pleck, 2010).
These fathers emphasized that the values that they experienced as children, and wanted for their
children were multifaceted with specific explanations that expanded the prevailing
conceptualizations of values (Chao, 1995; Chuang & Su, 2009). Lastly, the approaches that both
caregivers and fathers encompassed to instill values in their children focused on strategies within
several domains such as control, guided learning, group participation, support, and reciprocity.