Abstract
This book revolves around the central idea of how triathletes manage the multiple identities of father, husband, worker and athlete in their day-to-day life, thus earning the title of Iron Dad. Taking part in the 140.6-mile triathlon requires not only great physical stamina but also immense emotional and mental strength. The author has beautifully captured this journey from beginning to end, i.e. from the time when a man starts thinking about registering, to the process where being an IRONMAN becomes his identity, how he juggles these multiple identities, how he contemplates leaving the race halfway through, to finally reaching the finish line.
At the start, Cohen sets the scene with a father–child relationship moments before the race begins. This scene shows the reader the importance of being an Iron Dad in the life of an IRONMAN. It also raises the pertinent question of why men choose to enter this strenuous competition, which places extreme pressure on them as well as on the lives of everyone around them. With the Iron Dad as a central theme, the author identifies various motivations for registering, ranging from being a role model for their children to keeping fit and healthy to doing something extraordinary and in the process, achieving personal fulfilment. A disadvantage, however, is the lack of an explanation on how these motivations help Iron Dads to manage expectations, thus leaving readers to their own interpretations.
The heart of the book lies in the fact that an IRONMAN is not just a title that men earn in the competition; rather, it is deeply embedded in their identity. Because the competition is neither work nor family life, to be able to explain that it is actually a part of one’s identity is brilliant! The author sees class as a vital link in the formation of Iron Dad identity and that it often dictates the behaviour of Iron Dads during the competition. Class was seen as both a facilitator and hindrance while managing multiple identities and, as Cohen points out, was most frequently seen to influence an Iron Dad’s work life. Faith and competing were also seen as interrelated and in fact, strengthened the IRONMAN identity, but there was lack of evidence of how Iron Dads used faith to balance multiple identities. The process of identity formation highlights another major point, that being an IRONMAN is not a hobby, but is a part of who you are, a part of your self. In this vein, the author contends that racing, although seen by society as a hobby, is perceived as an extension of the identity for a triathlete. Therefore, an IRONMAN is involved in a constant tug of war between society’s norms and their own value system. The ‘hobby’ argument takes centre stage again when the author identifies the dark side of competing, i.e. the thin line between necessary and excessive training. On the one hand, Cohen argues, if racing were really a hobby, it wouldn’t be called ‘dark passion’. On the other hand, if it is a part of work, then feelings of guilt should not creep in. This concept of guilt in management of multiple identities is discussed further. Overall, Cohen succeeds in presenting a cohesive argument surrounding the Iron Dad identity: that is, she places emphasis not just on how men juggle different roles but also how all these factors combine to shape an IRONMAN’s identity.
Cohen’s portrayal of an Iron Dad is inherently masculine such that the men studied are seen as athletes, husbands, or workers, but little can be observed of them as fathers. This oversight can be partly attributed to a lack of information from their children, a research limitation recognized by the author.
Nonetheless, the author has succeeded in depicting how Iron Dads are able to integrate their family life into their athletic life by proposing ‘balance mechanisms’, i.e. strategies that Iron Dads use to juggle their multiple identities. The choice and utilization of such strategies, however, are often dependent on three things: time, space and the extent of family involvement. They are also dependent on a fourth factor, which Cohen terms as an ‘athletic visibility continuum’, i.e. while managing multiple identities, men can choose the extent of visibility of their racing identity to others. Although the author has provided ample examples to explain the usage of this continuum, she has overlooked its interrelatedness to balance mechanisms and that the application is often dependent on the situation.
A recurring theme in the book is the reference to hegemonic standards of masculinity, which the author frequently makes use of to explain the behaviours of Iron Dads. Indeed, masculinity can be seen as the theoretical underpinning for the real identity of an IRONMAN. A case in point would be when Cohen introduces the concept of ‘sporting guilt’, i.e. guilt experienced by Iron Dads when they prioritize sport over other responsibilities. The author argues that this guilt shares a dichotomous relationship with masculinity so that, on the one hand, sport is seen as ‘fun’, and on the other hand, it is seen as more masculine than fathering. To simplify, Iron Dads often tread a thin line between being seen as selfish when choosing sport over play, and being seen as less ‘manly’ when adopting a nurturing father role. Further, Cohen employs this model of masculinity to explore the circumstances under which men are willing to ‘throw in the towel’: specifically, give up on their goal of reaching the finish line. She makes a direct link between traditional masculine structures and the IRONMAN identity and what it means to adhere to those traditional values.
It is a common assumption that men are more productive outside the home, especially in a masculine context such as work or sport. However, the author argues that there has been a shift from traditional masculine structures to a more inclusive masculine model, which focuses on fathering as a nurturing role, where fathers are accepted as more active participants in childcare and that this will redefine what it means to be an Iron Dad. Still, the issue of masculinity seems an abstract concept and has not been well documented in the context of Iron Dads, leaving readers wanting more.