Gender Balanced Parenting Support: Fathers' Perceptions of Healthcare System Support

Research shows that father involvement contributes to child development, the quality of maternal parenting, and the overall functioning of the family. However, there remains a significant gap between the guidance offered by scientific research for better child-rearing practices and the practical support available to fathers, especially within institutional systems such as healthcare. The healthcare system, in particular, plays a pivotal role from the earliest days of parenthood, offering very important opportunities to support both mothers and fathers in their caregiving roles. This study aims to describe fathers' experiences with the support they receive from the healthcare. The study involved 367 fathers (M = 37 years; average age of the oldest child 58 months). The majority of fathers are employed (94.8%) and had at least a secondary education (42.2%). Findings suggest that healthcare professionals are rarely recognized as significant sources of parenting support. During pregnancy monitoring, fathers are almost never invited to check-ups, and discussions about the baby’s development and the father’s role are largely absent. Although pediatricians invite fathers more frequently, still about 50% of fathers report that they have never been invited to pediatric consultations (healthy baby check-ups). Home visiting nurses represent the most recognized and accessible form of support. Visits are often planned when the father is present (43.5%). However, statistically significant differences are noted between mothers and fathers in the content and tone of interactions that they receive during these visits. Fathers receive less information and emotional support compared to mothers, especially in areas such as: infant care, responsive parenting practices and discussions about parental competence and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, the majority of fathers in this sample report being unaware of the existence of parenting programs or services within the healthcare system. Even when they aware of them, very few have actually participated in activities such as parenting classes, breastfeeding support groups or groups for parental preparations. Fathers recognize and express strong need for more targeted services – such as father-specific workshops, mental health support and guidance in the relationship with their child – highlighting systemic neglect of their unique needs. Overall, the findings accentuate the necessity for a paradigm shift in how the healthcare systems conceptualize and deliver support for parenting. Fathers are willing to be involved, but it seems that the systemic structures and cultural expectations (still) often prevent their engagement.