Many of my recent blogs have dealt with the growing role dads play in parenting. An article in yesterday’s New York Times supported those observations. It talked about how play classes originally designed for moms and their babies are suddenly being populated by more and more dads. At one site in New York City, the trend was so apparent that the class name was changed from Mommy and Baby to Parent and Baby. The director of another group noted that on the rare occasions when dads showed up in the past, they were so uncomfortable as the only dad among moms that they rarely returned. As the article puts it, however, “Now the men have reached critical mass.”
The changes here are motivated by the same factors I’ve noted in previous posts: a greater focus on participation among this generation of fathers, and the economy that is sending many of them home.
The big questions: Once the recession recedes and many of these dads go back to work, will they also return to more traditional parenting roles? Or will they still make time for baby-and-me classes, blog posts about the trials and joys of fatherhood, and getting together with other dads and their kids for fun and bonding?
I hope so. Moms AND Dads – what do you think will happen?
For more, visit Who’s That with Baby at the Y? Why, It’s Daddy.
Hi, as a single dad, entrepreneur, I make time to be with my daughter; she’s at the age when we can enjoy doing a variety of activities and I know other dads are prioritizing their schedules to allow more time with their kids. I believe quality time with family/kids is taking precedent over money and career status.
Keith
Keith:
That’s the blessing of entrepreneurship–it gave me the flexibility to spend more time with my son, too. (Of course, we both know the incredible hours running our own businesses require!) It’s always good to hear about dads prioritizing their schedules to put family first. Thanks for the comment!