Paternity is undoubtedly one of the most fulfilling events in one’s life, but it also is one of the biggest responsibilities. Men of this generation are faced with the challenge of necessity to work hard and be/provider at the same time with children and family. This balance can be excruciating at times and does not exclude stress and burn out if not well handled. It presents an objective analysis of the challenges fathers may encounter and strategies that may be useful in handling them.
Table of Content:
- Challenges of Father
- Fatherhood Challenges
- Dad Difficulties
- Learning About Fatherhood
- Father Responsibilities
- References
Challenges of Father
The position of a father in society today as compared to many years ago has changed very much. Today’s dads do not only need to share child care responsibility but are expected to be more active in the child’s well-being than in the past, all while being employed. Such a dual expectation can make people always feel that they are inadequate and not doing enough.
According to the literature, time is the most critical factor that working fathers struggle with. A day consists of only 24 hours, and hence, it becomes quite challenging how to divide the available time with work, family, and other requirements. Numerous fathers claim that they constantly experience work-related guilt: they are guilty staying at work and wishing the time were spent with their children, and, conversely, they are guilty spending time with the children and wondering whether they should be at work.
The last broad category of stressors is emotional. Specifically, it concerns emotional labor related to parenting. Husbands and fathers are now expected to be affectionate and supportive; something that most of the present generation fathers never experienced growing up. It finally comes easy for some fathers to be more in touch with their emotions, and socially interact with their children.
Fatherhood Challenges
Thus, apart from the short-term fathering issues, there are several life-long issues which persistently remain demanding attention and perseverance.
The second general theme was identified as financial stress, a factor that is familiar to most fathers. Among the factors that may result in family stress are the attempts to offer a comfortable life to the family members which may cause the heads of families to work longer hours at work.
Balancing between work, that provides money in a pocket, and family, that grants emotions in a heart, is always a struggle.
Also, it is challenging when two people who are in a relationship with each other have to also co-parent for the same child. Parenting and working can put a lot of pressure on a marriage even for those couples with great chemistry that can only mean the relationship needs to be consciously worked on.
Likewise, fathers have the dilemma in also how to respond to the machinist’s need for a clearly defined provider type in order to retain their own individual identity as well. Dads often work too much and spend little or no time with friends, hobbies, or yourself, which if left unhandled can cause dads to feel as though they are missing out or even resentful of the baby.
Dad Difficulties
While every father’s experience is unique, there are some common difficulties that many dads encounter:
- Sleep Deprivation
- Work-life Integration
- Societal Expectations
- Discipline and Boundary-setting
- Technology Management
For example, getting little sleep due to the upbringing of the child becomes a big problem for fathers, often, especially if they have newly become parents, their effectiveness at work may be diminished.
The challenge of balancing between working and being a caregiver should in a way be solved without the compromise of work or the family responsibilities.
Finding a way of dealing with social expectations of masculinity, and fatherhood in particular is quite a stressful issue.
It is rather challenging to set rules and ensure that they are followed while at the same time being friendly with children.
Juggling on reducing children’s time exposure to screens while at the same time moderating their own screen time is something that is always challenging.
Learning About Fatherhood
For this reason, fatherhood remains a process that is marked by learning and positive growth contrary to whatever may be experienced. However, if this learning process is accepted and adopted then more can be gained from the process hence giving one or both genders the satisfaction they deserve in this career.
This is also possible by reading parenting books and articles since they provide information about the proper way of parenting as well as juggling between work and parenthood. Still, it’s necessary to highlight that each child and family is different; therefore, effective strategies can vary considerably.
Judging by the most significant components of learning about fatherhood, presence and attentiveness seem to be the most valuable. Since fathers are capable of interacting with their children as well as watching the youngsters’ growth process, they will be able to gather a great amount of firsthand information regarding children’s requirements and temperaments.
Perhaps the most important aspect of learning about fatherhood is being present and attentive. By actively engaging with their children and observing their development, fathers can gain invaluable firsthand knowledge about their kids’ needs and personalities.
Father Responsibilities
This paper also acknowledges the fact that the duties of a father go beyond the financial aspect. The male nowadays is expected to be an active and concerned parent who not only has responsibilities toward the kids’ physical well-being but also plays the role of a friend, counsellor and guide.
Some key responsibilities include:
- Emotional Support
- Education and Guidance
- Physical Care
- Role Modelling
- Co-parenting
- Work-life Balance
- Self-care
You children need you to be there for them not only physically but emotionally comforting, encouraging and understanding.
Serving an example and participating in your child’s educational process as well as instilling correct moral and ethical behaviours and values in the children.
Engaging in day-to-day care activities including; handling of foods, washing and dressing, and changing diapers.
The process of modelling the right attitude, behaviour and values in one’s own conduct.
Supporting you and your partner to make decisions for your children’s upbringing, in some cases in consultation with the children.
The conflict occurring as a result of the attempts to balance work responsibilities and family obligations.
Responsibilities of a father can also entail ensuring that you keep fit and healthy to be the best father you can to your children.
Synchronising all of them might become quite difficult, yet the main point is that one does not need to be perfect. For fatherhood, being present, loving and growth oriented is what it is all about or in other words ‘being there’.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasise how complicated fatherhood is but, at the same time, how beneficial and fulfilling it is. Tellingly, fathers willing to listen to these problems, to seek help, and to remain perpetually in training can successfully manage these ostensible problems. I think what is important to remember is not how to become the perfect father but an accessible, loving and caring one. While trying to manage both the work front and the home front, do not feel that you are not doing enough for your children, for you really are.
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References:
- https://www.floweraura.com/blog/7-challenges-being-good-father
- https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/blog/2021/06/being-a-father
- https://www.daduniversity.com/blog/top-challenges-every-dad-face
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/navigating-challenges-rewards-fatherhood-what-i-learned-alexander-lin
- https://parentingnow.org/modern-fatherhood-balancing-work-family-life/
