Today, it’s not uncommon to meet dads of all identities and responsibilities. Families with stay-at-home dads, single dads, two dads, and dads that split the caregiving role with their partner are becoming less of an anomaly that they were just twenty or thirty years ago.
Research shows that the increase of American dads who take an active role in their children’s lives has big benefits: In addition to improving the child’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development, active dads suffer from fewer stress-related health issues and cardiovascular events.
But this change in parenting norms isn’t just a fortunate happenstance: Shifts in economic, scientific, and political trends have helped redefine how we approach our roles as fathers.
How Employment Trends Influence Parenthood
Up until the mid-20th century, fathers were the undisputed primary breadwinners for their families. With the advent of industrialization and urbanization, fathers became even more distanced from the household and their families. As fathers earned a living in the workplace, mothers were expected to take on the responsibility of raising the children at home.
But in the latter half of the 20th century, these roles began to shift. In 2001, the number of employed women or women looking for work jumped from 33% in 1948 to more than 60%. By 2019, women made up nearly half of the American workforce (47%), before hitting a 33-year low after the pandemic.
Still, the gradual increase of women in the workforce enabled more straight parents to split or redistribute domestic labor—including child rearing. Put simply, more moms at work enable more dads to spend valuable and impactful time with their kids.
The Impact of Scientific Research
But there was another element at play: scientific research. Historically, research on the parental impact on childhood development focused on mothers. Without the data to demonstrate otherwise, researchers and parents alike assumed that moms played the most significant role in a kid’s life.
But over the past 30 years, there has been a growing body of research on the significant role that fathers play in their children’s lives. The data overwhelmingly shows that kids with active fathers fare better across all childhood development stages and are 43% more likely to earn A’s in school, less likely to develop depression and other psychological issues, and more likely to have higher levels of sociability, confidence, and self-control.
Once the data demonstrated how big an impact father’s have on their kids’ lives, more health and social organizations emphasized the importance of being an involved dad, like The Fatherhood Project, a non-profit program aimed at improving the health and well-being of children and families by empowering fathers to be knowledgeable, active, and emotionally engaged with their children. But the data helped to inform national policy, too.
Why Policy Matters
It’s no coincidence that the research on a father’s impact on his child’s development began surfacing around the same time as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which legally provides certain parents up to 12-weeks of unpaid, job protected leave per year.
More recently, organizations like PL+US have been advocating for stronger family and medical leave for all Americans. Though the benefits of family leave are multifold, it’s clear that when it comes to parenting, parental leave enables dads the opportunity to bond with their children without the threat of losing their job or financial security.
But there are other ways in which policy has impacted the role of the modern-day dad. In its 2013 and 2015 rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court cited children’s well-being as a key argument in favor of marriage equality.
Since then, the rise of same-sex families has inspired a more expansive and progressive notion of what it means to be a parent; and for gay men who often have to use external sources to build their families, their model of parenting is often built on support and commitment, rather than biology or pre-determined gender roles. What’s more, research suggests that LGBTQ parents are likely to divide the child care work evenly, spending an equal amount of time actively being a parent to their children.
Supporting the Health of Every Dad
At Vault, we understand that fatherhood is a lifelong commitment, which is why we’re committed to helping fathers live longer and healthier lives.
Want to learn more about how Vault can help you optimize your health and performance? Book an online visit today to learn more.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for general information purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be relied upon for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing an emergency, dial 911 or contact a medical practitioner immediately. Consistent with Vault Health, Inc.’s website privacy policy, Vault Health, Inc. is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content found at links to other websites.