New Dads Struggle To Balance Family And Career

By Rachel Gotbaum
Jun 16, 2011, 3:50 PM
5 Comments

Fathers are increasingly struggling with wanting to be more involved as a parent while also wanting to advance in their careers. (Courtesy Creative Commons)

A new study out of Boston College’s Center for Work and Family finds that new fathers are increasingly struggling with wanting to be more involved as a parent while also wanting to advance in their careers.

The study called “The New Dad — Caring, Committed and Conflicted,” surveyed 1,000 men nationwide, all new dads who worked as professionals for Fortune 500 companies.

A majority of the new dads — 68 percent — said they want to share in parenting 50-50. At the same time, 76 percent said they wanted to move up in their field and take on more responsibility.

New dads also found that they do better in the workplace and are perceived as being more committed, more mature and more credible employees after they become fathers. Earlier studies have showed that new mothers have a tougher time at work after they give birth, and unlike new dads are less likely to be promoted, and can be considered less committed as employees.

The question is whether fathers and mothers can attempt to balance their desire to advance in their careers while also being active and involved parents. A growing number of couples are trying to construct more equal partnerships despite a culture that enforces traditional roles for the sexes.

Guests:

Amy and Marc Vachon, authors, “Equally Shared Parenting: Rewriting the Rules for a New Generation of Parents“
Brad Harrington, professor and director of the Boston College Center for Work and Family

More:

Read the study: “The New Dad: Caring, Committed, and Conflicted”

Other stories from this show:

Jennifer Colman

When we adopted our infant daughter my husband was fortunate to receive 2 weeks paid paternity leave PLUS 6 weeks paid adoption leave, for a total of 8 weeks paid leave. He faced criticism from co-workers, his own staff, and his managers for attempting to actually use all that leave, and was ultimately pressured into going back to work before his leave was up. People at work seemed shocked that he would want (or try to have) that much time off to be with his new baby. We were able to have him home for 4 weeks full time … and that time was precious.
RM Guy

Oh, come on! This conversation has been going on for 40 years and it always turns out the same way: Pity the poor woman, she has to sacrfice and multi-task and men don’t know how, and are such big babies about everything, no matter how hard they think they’re trying. yawnnnn.
Liz

When I started my business, as a woman with a one yr old and a 4 yr old I was so careful to never mention anything about my children or ever let a client know I ever had to leave early to take a kid somewhere or I was working from home with a sick kid. Ten years later….I don’t worry so much and I find my male clients sharing stories about their kids and they don’t seem terrified by the idea that they’re hiring a working mother. I was always afraid that if they knew I had children they would be concerned that I wasn’t committed.
Kevin Knussman

I am surprised that the show’s guests still refer to the out-dated terms “paternity” and “maternity” leave. The correct term is parental leave! Companies must offer leave on a gender neutral basis to comply with the law. Women might qualify for medical leave benefits following a birth if their physician documents a medical need, otherwise leave following a birth or adoption must be gender neurtral. Leave granted automatically to a mother following a birth or adoption regardless of her medical condition places the company in danger of a discrimination claim. Family responsibility is a shared one where both parents must work toward raising their child.
Men and women have the same standing under the law for parental leave benefits. For additional information refer to Knussman v. State of Maryland (MD State Police). Also, Dana Glazer’s doumentary movie “The Evolution of Dad” and the book “Men Can” by Donald Unger.
H. Kevin Knussman
MysticArt Pictures

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UNDERWRITING

Why Have Kids?

New Dads Struggle To Balance Family And Career