Title: Redefining fatherhood: What it means to 'be a man’ today
Headings: Redefining fatherhood: What it means to 'be a man’ today
Redefining fatherhood: What it means to 'be a man’ today
Content: About 75 percent of fathers say being a dad is their most important job, according to the survey, and 61 percent of dads say they are more involved with their children than their father was with them. Matt Schneider is the co-founder of City Dads, a Meetup group for fathers. He believes dads are more involved with their kids now than when he was growing up. Today
When Schneider was growing up, he said his dad was active in his life but didn't feel responsible for attending PTA meetings or field trips. He now sees more parents involved in the every day life of their kids. “What is great, to me, about the role of dads now is we have a new definition of what it means to be a good dad,” said Schneider, 39, a former teacher and primary caregiver for his two boys, ages 5 and 8. Recent research supports the idea that dads are more "hands on." The amount of time fathers spend on childcare and housework has increased significantly over the last half century, from 6.5 hours a week in 1965 to 17 hours 2011, according to Pew Research Center. Economic reasons, especially in the aftermath of the Great Recession, might be partly responsible for the shift. The share of married couples who both work and have children at home is now 59.1 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.