Modern Day Fatherhood

Being a dad has many different meanings to it and it looks quite different than it did 30 years ago. The modern-day father comes in many different forms and is no longer the traditional “breadwinner” image that we may have pictured. Now, fathers are single or married, step-parents, part of the LGBTQ community, adoptive dad, or much more. This progression we see has changed the typical nuclear family as we know it and only continues to be a catalyst for the future. 

The Meaning of Fatherhood

Here at Eva Carlston Academy, we see many different types of families in our organization and love to be a part of modernity. Fathers are an essential part of the development of their children’s well-being. They provide the family unit with a sense of safety and security, oftentimes their children want their fathers (and mothers) to be proud of them which promotes the growth of self-worth and love. 

Children with actively involved fathers typically will score higher on tests, will be less likely to go to jail, and more likely to enter college. Usually, these outcomes aren’t necessarily correlated to the time that is spent together but the foundation the relationship is built on and how it continues to grow. Fathers play an integral role in their child’s life and provide them with key parts to grow up into healthy and happy adults. 

“With the onset of the pandemic, and throughout the year, my husband and I have had a major role reversal. I have been the one who’s gone at work every day, and he is working from home every day. It has given him a great opportunity to be involved in the details of your children’s’ lives, such as taking them to school and back, checking them out of school when they’re ill, managing getting them onto online classes, taking them to doctor and orthodontic appointments, etc .”  

– Kristin Hilman, Academic Director

Being a Dad in Today’s World

Today there are many influences in parenting and growing up. Being a dad today looks different than it did even just 10 years ago. With gay marriage legalized and adoption being a choice for LGBTQ parents, fatherhood has grown into something that is accepting and wonderful. Today’s world may come with harsh judgments and opinions but it is well worth it in the end. Becoming a dad is something that can be a turning point in many people’s life and anyone can be that for a child with love. 

57% of today’s fathers state that parenting is an extremely important part of their identity and 74% state that they want to spend more time with their children. We’ve seen a pivotal change since men were often referred to as the breadwinners of the family while the women stayed home and cared for the children. It is now more socially acceptable for fathers to stay home and prioritize that time with their children with gender roles shifting and changing. 

“In working with children in therapy and family therapy, it has been very clear that they value and appreciate their fathers’ presence.  I’ve seen how kids can be disappointed if their dad does not appear to be involved or how appreciative and happy they are when their dads show up consistently.  I think that dads taking on the role of an emotion-focused parent helps to support their child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being.”

– Jenny Panahinia, Therapist

At Eva Carlston we have been able to witness firsthand the positive impact of fathers on our students. Father’s have played an integral role in supporting their student through treatment by showing up for family therapy, committing to their own individual therapeutic work, and participating in workshops and support groups we offer. We are encouraged and heartened by the deep commitment and vulnerability of our Eva Carlston dads.

Eva Carlston Academy celebrates love and the opportunities that are now available to those choosing fatherhood. We recognize that being a dad comes in many shapes and sizes and you deserve to be celebrated this Father’s Day.