Have you ever been impacted by dad shaming?
Perhaps you're a mom and you've seen your husband receive criticism from other parents.
Maybe you're a father and you've experienced your child's mother telling you that you're doing it wrong.
This type of behavior is very common and it is actually causing many dads to pull back from being as involved as they would like to be.
Earth.com outlined the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at the University of Michigan, and the study found that over 25 percent of the 713 fathers polled feel less confident about their parenting because of the dad shaming they have received. Additionally, 43 percent of these dads thought that the criticism of their parenting skills was unfair and 20 percent of them say they have pulled back on their involvement because of the treatment.
Justin Worsham of The Dad Podcast, frankly, wasn't surprised by these numbers.
"As a stay at home dad, I was criticized a lot by other parents. I think the only reason I would be more effected by it is because as a dad you kind of drink the kool-aid, thinking you aren’t doing it right or enough. In your gut you feel right, but only a mom’s gut is right….right? We are criticized in commercials. Huggies had a campaign stating their diapers were strong enough to hold up to a "Dad Challenge." I think for the most part, dads aren’t offended by this. But, I am not surprised that they would be more sensitive to criticism."
To hear more of Justin's take on the impact of dad shaming and other parenting topics, you can check out all of his stuff at The Dad Podcast.