88% Indian fathers are not confident of taking child out without wife around

When it comes to emotional labour, women are still the bearers of that burden. A recent survey conducted by Mumbai-based Podar Institute of Education found that though Indian fathers are getting more involved in parenting, a majority of them cannot do it alone and need the help of their wives. “A common complain of mothers is that fathers are not involved in everyday parenting,” said the research, in which 4,800 fathers were surveyed. According to the survey, 70% fathers are now making a conscious effort to reduce their travel for work in order to spend more time with their children and at least 65% fathers spend two or more hours every day with their children. They are now aware of which school the child attends or which class and even attend their open house and events, the survey said.

However, there is still a lot of scope of improvement by fathers in giving time, learning to discipline their children and helping children with school work, it said. The survey also found that only 33% spend time doing household chores or reading to their children.

Eighty-eight per cent of fathers need their wife around when they take children out and only 12% are confident to go out alone with their children, the survey said. Many fathers are not so involved in helping around the house or in household chores and most are not happy with the amount of time they are able to spend with their kids, it said.