How are Millennial fathers changing fatherhood? A look into Millennial dads' investment into their children's lives.

Breadwinner. Disciplinarian. Provider. Authority. When asked about the words commonly associated with fathers, we may think of these. But modern fatherhood is different. In fact, many say that the best generation of dads might be the Millennials!

The oldest Millennials are turning 43 this year, while the youngest are in their late 20s. Millennial men are now in their fatherhood stage, and the attitude, roles and expectations of fathers are evolving along with these Millennial dads. 

Fatherhood, then and now. 

When Millennials were asked how they were raised by their parents, they would say that:

• Most Millennials'  fathers were mostly absentee for they had to work long hours;

• Their moms managed the house and took care of the children, while their dads spent minimal time with caregiving roles and responsibilities;
• Their dads did not spend extended periods of time with them when he was not working; 
• Millennial children in the 90s spent a lot of time in front of the television and movies with themes around absentee fathers. 
• It was acceptable for fathers to be workaholic and their main role was to provide financial support for the family. 

Meanwhile, fathers in this generation seem to be redefining how they raise the younger generation. 

Millennial fathers breaking free from traditions

In 2020 when the oldest Millennials turned 39, Pew Research showed that almost 5 in 10 Millennials were not yet living with a family ( having a spouse, a child, or both a spouse and a child). This is significantly higher compared to the previous generation (Generation X) with 4 out of 10 of them not living with a family at this similar age. 

But for Millennials fathers, the numbers show a hopeful and positive change. Although this generation of parents have the highest percentage of dual-income households with both parents working (almost 70%), fatherhood roles, expectations and attitudes are being redefined. 

A research which interviewed 2000 Millennial parents about their parenting style showed these changes.

• Millennial parents share the mantra of “fixing what they did”, which means they are reversing the absenteeism they experienced by being fully present in their children’s lives. 

• Millennial fathers are considering parenting as important as their career, with a big number of Millennial fathers planning, preparing, and organizing their career decisions around parenthood. 

Millennial dads believe that it is important to learn as much as one can about parenthood, to choose a parenting style and to read about being a father. 

Being present in the lives of their children

• Millennial dads are emotionally present for their children, compared with dads in previous generations. 

• Millennial fathers spend a lot of time at home with their children, just a little less compared to moms. And both chores and caregiving duties in taking care of the children are shared between the couple. 

• In fact, according to PEW Research, Millennial fathers spend about 8 hours a week doing child care, which is three times more than what dads spent with their children in 1965. 

• Millennial fathers are involved in their children’s lives. They jump in to help out with changing diapers, attending school events, and doing homework. 

• Millennial dads take advantage of their parental leave and annual leave to take care of their children. 

One’s involvement in a child’s life is one investment in their life that will sow emotional intelligence, social skills, and healthy relationship-building skills. Parenthood and fatherhood are tough, but fathers doing their best at being a positive role model to their children will harvest the joy and fulfillment of parenting.

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