Forskarassistent i socialt arbete ved Institutionen för samhälls-och välfärdsstudier, Linköpings universitet lucas.forsberg@liu.se Abstract This ethnographic study explores parenthood ideals and practices among eight Swedish middle-class couples. A pivotal term in the analysis is involved par-enthood, which is understood as a cultural norm prescribing that parents are responsible for their children, that they should spend much time with them, and develop close relationships to them. The study

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... ows that children and their activities structure parents' daily routines and that childcare is prioritized over the parents' own leisure activities. A distinction is made between parents' time with and time for their children. While 'time with children' refers to un-divided time spent with childr en, 'time for children' refers to childcare and household work that is carried out for the children's sake. Even though both types of time could be regarded as child centered, parents ideally spend time with their children; however, facing time pressure they argue it is hard to live up to this ideal in ev eryday life. It is also argued that par ental involvement has different meanings for men and women in that the majority of the women assume primary responsibility for household work and childcare.