“Men Are Worth No More Than a Shoe Here”: Syrian Refugee Fathers Navigating Loss of Identity After Displacement in Germany The Emotional Toll of Forced Displacement

Abstract

The emotional toll of forced displacement on Syrian refugee fathers is profound yet often overlooked. Once regarded as breadwinners and decision-makers, these men find themselves uprooted not only from their homes but also from the foundations of their identities. In Germany, familiar responsibilities are replaced with unfamiliar systems that erode their masculinity—long tied in Syrian and Arab family systems to breadwinning, authority, and decision-making—and leave many adrift in a society where their previous roles no longer carry weight. Meanwhile, women and children adapt faster, accelerating a shift in family roles. This transition creates unbalanced forms of power within refugee families, leaving fathers feeling powerless. Caught between past status and the reality of diminished roles, many suffer silently from exclusion. Drawing on interviews and fieldwork, this paper reveals these hidden struggles, shedding light on refugee fathers’ emotional challenges and quiet attempts to restore dignity in the aftermath of displacement.