Fathers and children: the missing link. Illustrated by the Norwegian case

Much attention is given to changing family patterns in industrilized countries. Often the question is asked about how a family dissolution may affect the relationship be tween fathers and children, and the consequences for children of little contact. Here, the question is put another way around. It is asked how can we understand the increas ing tendency of fathers to have children in consensual unions, as opposed to marriage. Hence, attention is given to family formation and the change in marriage as a social institution to secure fathers rights to children. As consensual unions dissolve more often than marriages, fathers end up in a weaker situation than married fathers in relation to children. The question discussed is whether this can be understood as a reflection of children as a more marginal resource to fathers in present days families as compared to historical periods.