Society is always changing, and that tends to mean that family dynamics are changing as well. As the culture and habits around us shift gradually, we change the ways in which we interact with each other and conduct ourselves throughout our daily lives – and, interestingly enough, parenting methods are no exception to this concept. Many people think that parenting is so instinctive as to be a rather unchanging practice. In fact, however, while instinct does certainly play a large role in parenting, particularly on the side of the mother, the ways in which American parents raise their children have always changed and adapted with the times. In current times, for example, there are, most notably, a number of changes occurring regarding the roles of fathers in raising children. Here are a few major fathering trends that have become ingrained in much of modern society:
- Overall, fathers are spending a great deal more time with their children. There may well be various reasons for this, but the most obvious cause of this trend is that women, and therefore mothers, are more often employed now than at any other time in history. This has changed the old family dynamic of fathers working and mothers raising children, and has caused parents to share the task of raising their children.
- Accompanying this trend, it is also interesting to note that more fathers tend to be taking advantage of their workplaces’ paternity leave policies. Maternity leave has always been necessary and accepted, as mothers need time not only to bond with and raise their new children, but also to physically recover from pregnancy – however, the common use of paternity leave is more of an emerging trend, allowing fathers time to bond with new children as well.
- Fathers are also finding time to do things for their children on workdays more frequently than at other points of history. Again, largely because more mothers are working and increased compromise is needed, fathers are altering their schedules to enable themselves to take their kids to school, go to after school athletic and extracurricular events, etc.
- Among all of these other trends, you may have noticed that it is becoming more common to see fathers out and about with their children and without the mothers. Nobody ever thinks twice when they see mothers walking in the park alone with strollers – but seeing fathers in their places is becoming more common, again as a result of the overall increasing involvement of fathers. One-on-one dad time outside of the house is becoming a more regular thing.
About the author:
Heather Jones is a mother of three and a freelance writer for the past six years. She contributes to Care.com on family dynamics and parenting.
