What if... dads were seen just as important as mums for a child's wellbeing?
It is time to break the socially constructed gender box that constrains fathers to a secondary role in their children's lives.
The first step is to become aware of our unconscious beliefs about fatherhood.
You know it, I know it! And there are tons of studies that show the importance of fathers in a child's life.
Despite these findings, fathers are often viewed as like their sole role is to bring home the bacon.
This is likely due to the way our society constructs gender roles. Dads are often portrayed as bumbling idiots who can't take care of themselves, let alone children.
What are the consequences for our children when dads are seen as bumbling idiots?
Let’s think about this!
What is the real purpose of boxing ALL dads in a box of being incapable because of their genders?
The first and most obvious consequence is that children learn that it's not okay to be a man. They learn that men must be strong, silent, and never make mistakes. This can lead to boys feeling like they have to hide their emotions and pretend to be something they're not in order to fit into society's expectations of what it means to be a man.
It can also lead to girls viewing fathers as incompetent and unworthy of respect. This can cause girls to devalue their own worth and set themselves up for future relationships in which they are mistreated or taken advantage of.
The consequences of this message are far-reaching. When dads are seen as bumbling idiots, it makes it harder for them to be taken seriously as parents.
What if…
…WE WOULD STOP SAYING DADs ARE BABYSITTING THEIR CHILDREN? TWEET THIS!
Change your language - and you become the change in the world.
Rúna Magnúsdóttir, Inspirational Speaker and Podcast Guest on Self-Leadership and The New Paradigm for Gender Equity
