More fathers are stepping up, but emphasis is being made on money

Guest co-author Chris Hook, Equimundo: Masculinities and Social Justice Center

There is a strong reason to thank my father today. a New referendum Last week, published by Global Strategy Group, paid leave on behalf of 1,000 male registered US voters, caring for across generations and examining community changes. Important discovery? The man’s top priority was to care for his family by providing, protecting, and doing “strong” things. This is an important step towards a Caring masculinity Men value interdependence and relationships.

Polls showed that providing to families (65% said it was very important) and supporting families emotionally and financially (58%) was perceived by their hard work and sacrifice (32%) and even more important than being respected by careers (33%) or by others (36%).

We have a long history of women who carry the majority of households. nursing care Responsibility at home. Over the past decades, Men are increasingly being called to step up as allies For women by reducing the burden of care and supporting happiness. Research shows that millennials and Z-dads are stepping up by listening like never before. Almost three times The amount of care work compared to previous generation men.

Why are more fathers stepping up today? Caring for and supporting a family at home gives men purpose and hope. According to the new one American men 2025 report by Equimundofathers are 30% more likely to feel a sense of purpose than childrenless men. A 2022 equimundo report to help care for his father found that his father was stepping up despite his environment. Social expectations and lack of support hinders them.

When the whole family is doing well, the family works better. Based on my team’s years of research, we believe that alliances and happiness are often so and that we must hold hands. Whether a man is an ally, at home or at work, it is Boost their personal growth and enrich their relationships. But if, for some reason, our allies don’t go well, it hurts all of us. Compassionate fathers actively share family responsibilities and are deeply involved in the lives of their children, so they are able to do so. stress They are more likely to ripple family than emotionally detached fathers and husbands. If the allies are not experiencing happiness, it also makes the alliance relationship unsustainable. Priorities shift to “wearing an oxygen mask” before helping others.

That’s the ideal for allyship is a partnership Everyone’s happiness is appreciated and actively pursued. So, while the family benefits from stepping up more and more from their father, “What about men?”

You can see that men aren’t doing as well as we might have hoped.

According to American Men 2025 Study According to Equimundo, 75% of men report that it is much more difficult for a generation to feel financially safe than their father’s generation. Men see financial security as the basis of being a good family provider, so they are economically involved. anxiety It uses up your sense of meaning and purpose. Men who face economic instability are 16.3 times more likely suicide An idea from two weeks before being surveyed (compared to 7.3 times more women’s). Links are the strongest for Asians and black men.

Fathers who experienced financial stress were twice as likely to report not having enough time to care for them. 61% of fathers say they struggle to balance work and care responsibilities is the main reason why they don’t have enough time to care for them. Economic stress is hurting the ability of men to become better allies, spouses, fathers and caregivers.

So, what can we do to support the happiness of men and fathers?

One approach is to support men’s health, parental leave, and economic security policies at the federal and state levels. National Survey of Global Strategy Group This, along with US voters last week, shows that it has gained near-universal support. Men in all life, including Democrats (96%+), Independents (90%+), Republicans (87%+), and especially fathers (95%+), dominantly support care policies such as affordable childcare, paid leave, and affordable long-term care for the aging and disabled. These policies also ensure that men are the kinds of allies, husbands and fathers they and their families cherish.

They can also continue to normalize men who take care of and family responsibilities in ways that make sense to their families. Telling subtle stories in the media Social Media Caregiving men recognizes how men are stepping up every day. Let’s put the tired ratio of “deadbeat dad” behind us, as it doesn’t match the reality of what many men and fathers do on a daily basis. And those ratios do not unite, they separate us.

It’s time to celebrate how fathers today are stepping up, the challenges they face, and the healthy parents and spouses ideals they are aiming for.