Hyderabad: Parenting is an art and it need not be always confined to particular gender. In this changing times, even a man can be both mother and father with little more efforts.
Can men 'mother' is a thought that comes to our mind when we hear of a single father who takes care of his children, choosing the daddy life. We live in a pre-conceived notion that only mothers can nurture and there are a set of gender-specific roles and stereotypes that we have been believing since ages.
Parenting being a tough task comes with its own obstacles which is not only limited to mothers in this modern era. This Father's day let's understand what is single fatherhood and what are the challenges faced by them.
Single-parent families headed by fathers are a growing demographic in many regions of the world, which is largely due to increasing rates of divorce, separations, and non-marital childbearing.In 2011, more than 2·6 million households in the USA (a nine-times increase since the 1960s) and approximately 330 000 (3·5%) of all census households in Canada were headed by single fathers. There are nearly 3 million single parent families in the UK, of which approximately 10% are single fathers with dependent children.
To date, research on single parents has largely focused on single mothers. Single mothers generally have lower socioeconomic status, poorer self-rated health and mental health, higher levels of psychological distress, and more health-related problems and hospital admissions than the general population.
CHALLENGES OF BEING A SINGLE FATHER:
SUPPORT:
Historically, men are accustomed to being the ones providing support, not asking for it. This can make it difficult for single fathers to know how and when to ask friends and family to step in and help with childcare or other issues. One of the best things a single father can do is to find a networking group comprised of other men also taking on the role of primary caregiver. WORK/ LIFE BALANCE; there is a difficult work/life balance to be had. They must work and play just like single moms. They must deal with the perception of the other parent that they are not doing as much as they can or should.
OVERPROTECTION:
When it comes to dealing with the challenge of personal lives, single fathers often try really hard to protect their children. One of the biggest challenges for single dads to overcome is standing back and letting their kids struggle through some of life’s problems and challenges.
DISCIPLINE:
Another challenge single fathers face is discipline. Even though you’re the adult, it can be terrifying to go into battle with a teenage son or daughter. In addition, it’s not uncommon for single parents to be weighed down with guilt after watching the kids struggle through the divorce. In some instances, single dads go too far and start over-indulging their kids’ whims or even hesitating to discipline in the first
place.
BALANCE:
Single fathers often find it challenging to have their own personal lives while raising a child on their own. Keeping a detailed schedule can help to handle the logistics, find time to hang out with friends, go on dates, and keep up with hobbies. However, balance is about more than tracking activities. It’s about emotions, too.
MAKING TIME FOR SELF CARE:
Single fathers often show signs of decreased mental and physical health, so be sure you keep some of your focus on your needs and wants, as well as ways to reduce stress. It’s important to learn small ways to face that stress head-on and reduce it no matter where you are, because having effective coping mechanisms handy will allow you to get through even the most challenging times.
READ: International Yoga Day: Yoga is more relevant during Coronavirus, says Kiren Rijiju
FATHER'S DAY GIFTS:
Dad’s favourite Activities
Every father has a hobby that makes us roll our eyes and cringe. Father’s Day is the perfect time to let him share his favourite hobbies with you. You never know, you might even enjoy it!This father's day take a moment to appreciate their sacrifices and take out some time to make them feel special! Here are some of the gift options that you can use to thank him.
- Netflix Subscription
- Dinner with his boy gang
- Saregama Caravan
- Nest Mini
- Wireless earbuds
OTHER GADGETS
Whether your father is tech savvy or not, nowadays new technology is an infallible option when it comes to gifting ideas. From the latest smart phones and laptops to digital record players, there is bound to be something for every one’s needs. Most retail websites offer discounts for occasions such as ‘Father’s Day’. You can also gift him from these options:
- Wristwatch
- Photo album and a handwritten card for him
- Complete Grooming Kit
- Healthy Gift Hamper
BOOKS
If your dad love to read then Gifting books of his favourite author is very good idea for make this day special.
- Personalised Flask, Sunglasses Case or Wallet
