The Evolving Role of Fatherhood in India: Juggling Careers, Kids, and Fathering

Fatherhood brings about a significant alteration in priorities, frequently initiating a pursuit for equilibrium between professional ambitions and familial obligations. Navigating work-life balance as a father presents numerous challenges, starting with the pressure to excel professionally while actively participating in their children's lives. This study focused on fathers aged between 28 and 50 years to understand how they perceived fatherhood based on their fathering experience and work-life balance. The current study explored how contemporary societal and gender role expectations shape fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives and work commitments in urban India. Recent sociological research emphasizes fathers’ emotional and nurturing roles and highlights how modern-day fatherhood encompasses active involvement in childcare, emotional support, and a balanced partnership with mothers. This shift is partly due to changing societal norms and increased advocacy for gender equality. Family studies literature is dominated by studies on mothering experiences providing limited insights on fathers' experiences especially in India. The current research seeks to address the gap in fatherhood experiences within the Indian setting.

For this research mixed methods were employed on an Indian sample of 300 fathers, supported by qualitative interviews with 30 fathers and their spouses. This paper focuses on the quantitative data which revealed inter-relationships between fatherhood experiences, fathering self-efficacy, and paternal involvement with children. The study uncovered how fathers navigate conflicting demands between work and family roles. For a holistic understanding of family relationships, the paper also proposes recommendations for future research involving fathers. The major recommendations are one, future research should investigate how cultural norms, regional traditions, and socio-economic conditions shape fatherhood practices in different parts of India and two, research should assess the impact of workplace policies, such as flexible working hours, paternity leave, and work-from-home options, on fathers’ ability to balance work and family life.