I’m constantly in awe of the progress we’re making in terms of gender roles and parenting. I came across a recent study that shows how dads are spending triple the amount of time caring for their kids and double the amount of time on housework compared to 50 years ago*. This is a huge step forward for dads, and it’s about time that they get the recognition they deserve for their involvement in parenting and household chores.
But as with any change, there are always those who criticize and nitpick. Some people are saying that we shouldn’t be praising dads for doing what’s expected of a parent, and that our standards for dads have been set so low that we settle for just the bare minimum. I can see where these critics are coming from, but I think it’s important to remember that gender roles are deeply ingrained in our society, and it’s not something that can be unlearned overnight.
We need to give dads a chance to catch up and be involved in parenting and household chores. We need to encourage and support them, rather than tear them down. Yes, it’s true that dads should be doing their fair share of parenting and household chores, but we also need to remember that this is a new and unfamiliar territory for many dads. They’re navigating uncharted waters, and they need our support and understanding.
As a millennial mom, while I feel lucky enough to have a husband who does his fair share of parenting and household chores, I also recognize that not all dads are at the same level, and that’s okay. We need to give them time to catch up and learn, rather than expecting them to be perfect right off the bat.
Having said that, we should continue to praise and encourage dads for their involvement in parenting and household chores, while also recognizing that gender roles are deeply ingrained in our society and change takes time. Let’s give dads a chance to catch up and be the amazing parents and partners that they can be.
*Pew Research Center 2016 Survey Analysis: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/13/fathers-day-facts/
Diary of a Millennial Mama 
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