Single Parent Fathers - The New Generation
- Date: 2009-10-24 - Word Count: 529
Share This!
Single parent fathers inhabit a world that requires the male of the species to sneer at and overcome all obstacles. His support network is nowhere as formidable as the kind single mothers enjoy. Most single parent fathers are on their own on the job. This does not include day-to-day parenting alone - many single fathers have to tackle the challenges of their children's school lives, too. Picture a single dad helping his kid with homework, getting him ready for school each morning, meeting teachers and attending local PTA meetings and you are picturing a rather beleaguered man at the best of times.
Though not all single fathers complain about this, the fact remains that they also have to contend with a certain genre of women in whom they seem to catalyse some very unhelpful motherly instincts. Such women are overwhelmed with a need to be a mother both to the child and the father, and 'adopt' both for all the wrong reasons. The parenting world is geared for mothers, not fathers. This means that single fathers have to operate in a world that believes that they are simply not equipped to care adequately for their children.
Let's Hear It For The New Breed Of Single Dads!
Be that as it may, single fathers are growing in numbers. More and more courts grant custody of a child to fathers who can and do display sufficient ability to provide for their children's needs. In fact, it has now been proved that men are just as capable of successful single parenting as women, and that men bond better with their children in a single parenting situation than in a two-parent setup!
Bucking Stacked Social Opinion
We tend to regard single fathers either with pity, disdain or suspicion.
* Pity, because we know the parenting match is fixed in favour of women
* Disdain, because we believe that only a selfish, uncaring and possibly ineffectual man would 'deny' his child a mother
* Suspicion, because we expect some gross abnormality to crop up in the 'deprived' child at any point
Very few of us see this emerging status as a natural extension of the 'metrosexual' - the all-male man who can handle tasks normally attributed to women with despatch and élan.
Strategic Advantages
Going by present statistics, single father parents generally make a better go of things post divorce than single mothers -and are also more emotionally 'there'. The reason, of course, is that single fathers tend to have a better financial infrastructure - because of which they do not wig out over money matters as easily as single mothers do. In the absence of excessive preoccupation with finances, single fathers are able to devote more time and calmer, more level-headed attention to their kids.
Another advantage that single fathers have over their female counterparts is that they are more secure in their own skins when it comes to personal relaxation and recreation. Single mothers are often guilt-driven to include their kids in almost everything they do. In practical terms, this means that single fathers offer their children more space and more freedom to structure their own time. They are also far more able to unwind and de-stress than single mothers, which further reduces the burden on children.
Though not all single fathers complain about this, the fact remains that they also have to contend with a certain genre of women in whom they seem to catalyse some very unhelpful motherly instincts. Such women are overwhelmed with a need to be a mother both to the child and the father, and 'adopt' both for all the wrong reasons. The parenting world is geared for mothers, not fathers. This means that single fathers have to operate in a world that believes that they are simply not equipped to care adequately for their children.
Let's Hear It For The New Breed Of Single Dads!
Be that as it may, single fathers are growing in numbers. More and more courts grant custody of a child to fathers who can and do display sufficient ability to provide for their children's needs. In fact, it has now been proved that men are just as capable of successful single parenting as women, and that men bond better with their children in a single parenting situation than in a two-parent setup!
Bucking Stacked Social Opinion
We tend to regard single fathers either with pity, disdain or suspicion.
* Pity, because we know the parenting match is fixed in favour of women
* Disdain, because we believe that only a selfish, uncaring and possibly ineffectual man would 'deny' his child a mother
* Suspicion, because we expect some gross abnormality to crop up in the 'deprived' child at any point
Very few of us see this emerging status as a natural extension of the 'metrosexual' - the all-male man who can handle tasks normally attributed to women with despatch and élan.
Strategic Advantages
Going by present statistics, single father parents generally make a better go of things post divorce than single mothers -and are also more emotionally 'there'. The reason, of course, is that single fathers tend to have a better financial infrastructure - because of which they do not wig out over money matters as easily as single mothers do. In the absence of excessive preoccupation with finances, single fathers are able to devote more time and calmer, more level-headed attention to their kids.
Another advantage that single fathers have over their female counterparts is that they are more secure in their own skins when it comes to personal relaxation and recreation. Single mothers are often guilt-driven to include their kids in almost everything they do. In practical terms, this means that single fathers offer their children more space and more freedom to structure their own time. They are also far more able to unwind and de-stress than single mothers, which further reduces the burden on children.
Related Tags: single dads, fatherhood, single father, single parent fathers
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Top Riding Toys For 201
Children love the excitement and adventure that can be found by cruising on their own ride on toy. W - Picking the Best Size Bike For Your Child
Bicycling can be a great way for your child to get a little extra exercise. Learning to ride a bike - How to Help Your Kids Through Difficult Events
Even as a child or adolescent we may face challenging times when things seem to be crashing down aro - How to Make Your Home Safe For a Young Child
New parents often spend weeks preparing their home for the arrival of their new baby. While there is - 4 Things to Know Before You Buy a Diaper Bag
Some things to keep in mind before you purchase the diaper bag are the following: material, the cost - Exciting Food Suggestions For Kids
Making kids eat healthy food is a big task every mother goes through. With kids pre-occupied with pl - Add Modern Touches to Your Toddler's Room With Modern Toddler Bedding
Decorating a child's room presents parents with several different challenges simultaneously: Choosin - When Should You Be Concerned About Your Baby's Health?
Your baby's health is one of the most important and delicate things that you have to keep abreast of - Having a Happy and Healthy Baby With the Benefits of Baby Massage
Mothers have known for centuries the benefits of baby massage, the world over. In many Asian countri - Diaper Bags And Their Uses
Parents usually need to take diaper bags along with them if they out on a trip. Especially, if the b
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Perfect Parent...Who Are We Kidding?
I get the feeling that there are a lot of moms and dads out there that feel they're not measuring up - Partial Breastfeeding - Should I Even Bother?
For some women, feeding a baby with breastmilk alone is not possible. The reasons for this vary. For - Skateboarding In The Eighties To The Present
Skateboarding traces its roots to the seventies but it really reached the peak of its popularity in - How Breastfeeding Benefits A Daddy
You know that breastfeeding is best for mother and child, but what's in it for Dad? Isn't he going t - Child-Appropriate Costumes: Violence, Sexuality, And Insensitivity
So your daughter wants to be Wonder Woman for Hallowe'en, or your son wants to be Batman. They're bo - The Evolution Of Vitamin B5 For Acne
I came across the benefits of Vitamin B5 6 years ago whilst searching for an acne treatment that act - Depression And Teens - Six Signs That Your Child May Be Suffering From Depression
Most people are now aware of the seriousness of depression. This has become much more common and mor - Parenting Teenager - Take Time For Your Teen!
BookWire's "Year in Reviews Magazine," December 2006 issue, lists a review of my book "Help Me With - Why It's Important To Follow A Healthy Diet When Pregnant
Pregnancy is one of the most physically enduring times in our lives, and it is more important than e - Sleep Separation And Your Child
It seems harmless enough, lying down with your child while he goes to sleep, but it could be that sl