Father’s Day: Dads are as Essential as Moms & the Importance of Equal Parenting

Though society paints a picture that a father is the sole breadwinner of the family and a mother is a sole caregiver, equal parenting plays an important role in a child’s development. When a baby is born, it is usually the mother who is responsible for their nurturing. However, as the child grows up, the father has an equally important role to play in terms of mental and spiritual development. In fact, certain to-be-dads bond with their baby even before their birth by getting involved with their partner during pregnancy and keeping a track of their hospital visits.

Despite so much being spoken on equal parenting, a lot of fathers end up taking a backseat when it comes to raising their kids. In fact, a few new dads I know even feel ashamed to admit that they help with changing diapers or taking paternity leave. Well, more than they being blamed for it, the mindset of society is to blame. There is a kind of stereotyping, and that needs to change.

Why Fathers are Important in Early Childhood?

This Father’s Day, let’s speak about the importance of father-child bonding.

Research shows that love and care of fathers is equally important for the well-being of the child as much as motherly-love. Thus, it is of utmost importance for a dad to actively participate with their child and interact with them. Here’s how fathers impact child development:

• Increased Intellect

There are no two thoughts about the fact that father involvement in early childhood leads to positive child development. When a father gets actively involved with their child during the 1^st year, the cognitive and problem-solving capabilities increase. Unlike mothers, fathers tend to talk to their child in a different way. As a result of this, children talk in longer sentences and use more diverse vocabulary. This also leads to advanced language development. Studies suggest that when fathers are positively involved with school-aged children, they score higher grades, and have better reading, math and language skills.

• Offer a different perspective

Children are full of questions. They always want to know “who, what, when, why”. When a child asks either of the parents a question, both address them in different ways. The approach of a father is different from that of a mother. This is amazing as kids get a different perspective about life. It also exposes children to a broad range of thinking.

• Fathers are a role model

A father will always be a role-model for his children. Even mothers play an important role. However, fathers are always looked up to, especially by daughters. For example, as far as sons are concerned, they usually want to grow up being like their dads in terms of personality and characteristics. From a very young age, they start imitating them by walking and talking like them, etc. The same applies for daughters as well. When a grown-up daughter is looking for a match, she looks for the same traits in her mate as those of her father. When fathers spend more time with their children during the crucial years, they turn out more compassionate and generous.

• Makes them feel more protected

An involved father gives his child a feeling of security. Whether it’s mental, physical or emotional, the child always knows his/her father will be there no matter what the situation is. Also, children like it when you praise them when they behave well or accomplish something. Small gestures like hugging or kissing them and patting them on their back will make them feel secure.

When fathers are emotionally supportive of their children, it’s not just the child who feels healthy and happy but it’s the mother too. Yes, you read that right. Mothers enjoy a greater sense of well-being when responsibilities are shared. The role of a father begins even before the child comes into this world. For instance, supportive moms maintain healthy pregnancy behaviours which means eventually both the mother and the child will be healthy. That’s where equal parenting comes into the picture.

Importance of Handling Duties Equally with Moms

Fathers often ask when is the right time to start parenting equally. Well, it begins the day you know your partner is expecting a baby. That’s when you’re entering parenthood. Whether it’s changing diapers, putting the baby to sleep or handling tantrums, both the parents should equally share responsibilities. Though a mother has a more important role in nurturing the child, it’s wrong for the father to dump it all on her. In today’s day and age, the rules of parenting have been rewritten. With these tweaks, parenting can be made fun:

• Make a list of the things that need to be divided
• Role and responsibilities should not be fixed to one parent
• Divide household chores
• Alternate who wakes up for the child in the middle of the night so that both get proper sleep
• Once the child starts going to school, both should take equal interest in teaching them
• Get involved in the child’s life so that they feel loved and protected
• Lastly, take one step at a time. It’s a new role and will definitely take you time to adjust.

Collaborative efforts reduce the pressure and stress from one person’s shoulders. Equal parenting also breaks gender stereotypes. However, it’s more than sharing duties and responsibilities. It’s about letting your partner grow too. Beyond taking care of bringing up a child, there’s a lot more a parent needs to do. They can even involve their child in everyday chores. Remember, children learn by examples.

Times are changing, so are parenting roles and challenges. This Father’s Day, I urge all the new fathers to get on a mission to bring a difference to their child’s overall development. When you participate equally in daily parenting duties, you will notice a strong shift in your child behaviour. They will also grow up into mature adults.