Fatherhood Study Reveals New Role of Modern Dads

October 13, 2011, By Craig J. Heimbuch 1 comment

Craig J. Heimbuch

We have a lot to learn when it comes to fatherhood. Those first few panicked and heady days after your wife tells you she's pregnant, your head swirls. You know you don't know what you're doing, but you don't know enough to know what you don't know. Got it?

Well, according to a study from TNS, P&G and ManoftheHouse.com, today's dads are turning to the same place they learn about fantasy football to learn about fatherhood—the internet. Nearly two-thirds, 62%, of expecting dads are going to sites like this one to learn what to expect, more than those who rely on parenting magazines (32%), books (46%) or friends (52%) and almost the same percentage who turn to their own parents (64%) for advice.

What does this tell us about fatherhood? It's evolving. 

Today's Dads vs. Their Dads 

The study profiles American dads, from their attitudes about parenting to how they feel they're doing as compared to their own dads. By and large, the findings show that the majority of dads and new dads (with kids under the age of 2) feel confident in their parenting ability. More than half (56% of new dads and 59% of all dads surveyed) believe they are a better dad than their own father. In fact, today's dads think they are doing better than their fathers in all but two categories—providing financially and household maintenance.

• 49% of modern dads believe they spend more quality time with their kids, compared to 27% who believe their dad did better.
• 26% of modern dads believe they are better at caring for their children, compared to 11% who believe their dad did better.
• 26% of modern dads believe they spend more quality time with their wives, compared to 20% who believe their dad did better.
• 22% of modern dads believe they are more active in their kids' education, compared to 14% who believe their dad did better.

So it becomes clear that today's dads believe they are as or more hands-on with their kids' lives than their fathers were. And look around, you can see it.  When we were growing up the expectations for dads were to be the coach of the little league team, the leader of the Cub Scout den and to help with the homework. While I don't remember having many play groups as a kid—that seems to be a modern parenting phenomenon—my social life was handled by my mom. Yet, when I'm home with my kids, taking them to play groups or play dates, there is nearly always at least one other dad there. The dads I know are much more likely to be willing to be home with the kids or to be the parent on hand when their kids have friends over. Many of these same dads struggle to remember their own fathers doing the same thing. Show up at a PTA meeting nowadays and you'll see a mix of parents—moms and dads and, more likely than before, moms and dads together.