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Kids today luckier than their parents, or even their parents' parents. It's not only because of more advanced technology connecting people or making lives more convenient, though those are huge advantages. Children today have it better because their dads are more involved in caring for and raising them than fathers from two generations ago, a study found. Frankly, we're happy but also not surprised.
The Canadian research aimed to discover any changes in parents' participation in domestic tasks and care for children from 1986 to 2015. The results clearly show how times have changed. While not based on Philippine data, we think it applies not only to Pinoy dads but also fathers all over the world. Dads have come a long way from only bringing home the bacon.
Dads today do more home and childcare tasks
According to the study, 43% of dads in 1982 admitted to never having changed a baby's diaper. That number is now down to 3%. How? Parenting duties are far more equally distributed between moms and dads than ever before. As moms have become vital contributors in the workforce, dads are also stepping up their baby-care skills.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWStill, many dads admitted that their partners always do a lot more household chores than they do, but they have been more willing to help more than before. The research showed that dads today devote 30 minutes more to doing household chores than fathers did two decades ago. They still have a long way to go, but it's an improvement.
It's a significant improvement. Dads today are aware that they are vital to their children's upbringing — and it starts being involved during pregnancy and birth. Witnessing the birth of your child makes fathers want to be more involved. (Click here for reasons why dads should be present during childbirth.)
Studies have also shown that being hands-on dads provides their children with a lot of benefits. When dads change nappies or take over bathtime or bedtime stories, it's an excellent jumping-off point to a stronger father-child relationship as the child grows. (Click here for lifelong benefits kids receive from having a hands-on dad.)
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowWhen moms take over all parenting responsibilities, research shows the relationship between husband and wife suffers. Dads helping out with chores and childcare benefits the marriage, which in turn also serves the best interest of the children. Some studies suggest dads helping out around the house may pave the way for a couple's>improved sex life.
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More than ever, dads need all the support they can get
Along with new roles, dads find themselves on the short end, as they get more in touch with their maternal side. But leaving a baby under the father's care is a leap of faith some moms still struggle to make. Fathers need their partner's trust and guidance, as well as support from other dads as well, to help assure themselves that they're capable and doing a great job. Sounds familiar? It's what moms need to feel appreciated.
Support from the workplace, such as parental leave, is a privilege mothers have fought for and recently won in the form of The Expanded Maternity Leave Act of 2019. Thankfully, it allows paid leave days to be credited to dads. The Paternity Leave Act of 1996 allows new fathers a week off to help care for his partner and newborn, but it has not increased since then.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThey feel dad guilt, too
Fathers today want to spend more time with their children. When they couldn't due to various reasons (but mostly work), they feel guilty the same way working moms do when they need to leave their kids at home to earn a living. They are already doing more than what their father did around the house and involving kids. Still, some dads but also feel guilty for not being able to share the parenting load equally with moms.
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