[N]ew research on working fathers indicates that they're the ones experiencing the most pressure. In a July report called, tellingly, The New Male Mystique, the Families and Work Institute surveyed 1,298 men and concluded that long hours and increasing job demands are conflicting with more exacting parenting norms. The institute had launched the survey to follow up on its 2008 finding that 60% of fathers said they were having a hard time managing the responsibilities of work and family, compared with only 47% of mothers in dual-earner couples.
"Men are feeling enormous pressure to be breadwinners and involved fathers," says Ellen Galinsky, the institute's director. "Women expect more of men, and men expect more of themselves."
Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/01/working-moms-multi-task-more-than-dads-and-like-it-less/#ixzz1fbBFSQru
I recently had a discussion with my husband and some of my male cousins who are also fathers. They all seemed to talk about the fact that they feel they do more than their fathers did (in regards to helping out at home and with the kids).
My father in law and uncles were hard workers and provided well for their families, but in this day and age, is that considered enough?
My husband and I entered our marriage with the idea that we were a team and would tackle the ups and downs of life together, including parenting. Yes, somethings are still old fashioned in my home, I do all the cooking, for example, but I am lucky to have a husband who helps with bathtimes, reading stories, and getting the kiddos dressed. From what I heard from my husband and cousins last week in our discussion, their dads never did anything like that.
As a mom myself, I appreciate my husband (and other dads out there) trying to help us out.
