In the last 4 decades, are fathers spending more or less time actively involved in family life?

Question

"Between 1965 and 1995... the average amount of time fathers spent with their children increased by an hour per day".

http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_10-02.html

Its 2008 now and men could even be spending more time with their families than that!

So how do you explain it? Why is this? Why are fathers spending ever-increasing time with their family?

Isn't the current MRA propaganda that men are spending LESS time with their families? That's obviously not true.

Answer 1

Before the 1960's the US family was father-centered

Late 60's to early 80's we were mother-centered

Now we have become child-centered, where its not ok for dad to head to the lodge or the club after work.  The child comes first.  A child centered society imposes a "guilt" factor upon any parent who does not participate in every aspect of the child's upbringing.  And with more women in the workforce, parenting is being divided more equally than in the past. Also, it has become more acceptable for a man to be "nurturing" to a child vs. just being the bread winner.

Answer 2

That is more hours a day than there are hours in a day.

How does this make sense?

Answer 3

since women now are working

Answer 4

I just think the family unit used to be more about 'roles'... The man went to work and the woman stayed home with the kids.

I was speaking with my Grandma on the weekend and she was telling me my Pop used to go down to the club every night, and then come home for dinner.... This was the norm!

I think younger men wan't to be Dad's now. It's not 'expected' (at a young age) like it used to be.... It's a decision couple's make together.

Younger men are more evolved - They want to be good dads, they love and respect thier hard-working wives and just naturally assume equal responsibility for the kids.

Well, women have more to look forward to than marriage and kids these days as well. They wait a while, work, and are not pressured straight out of School to get married and have kids like they used to be. People can be in a relationship for many years before they have kids now, which is a good thing!

Answer 5

Well, the MRA guys are ones whose wives won't let them see their children, so they can't spend time with them.

For the rest, time spent has increased as attitudes to parenting have changed and also, even tons of men are working idiotic 'flexi-work' so there is probably more time.

Answer 6

fathers vary from culture to culture. in average fathers' involvement in family has declined due to increase in demand of official commitments and poor time management. but father's love cannot be compensated!!

Answer 7

So they went around to every person in the world who had children and asked them?? A poll is not scientific evidence, a poll is opinion based; it is not fact!

Here I'll make up a statistic for you right now, the average time it takes me to down a beer is 15 minuets. That's 375ml every 15 minuets I ingest 3.5 percent one standard drinks. So on average I'll be drunk soon.

Edit: Notice how you say America? Well that, does not surprise me. Sorry but as far as progressive thinking goes; well lets just say fox news gives me a very bad indicator of how the average American mind works. If that is any indicator to how logic works in your 'culture' well lets just say I m glad I don't live there.