How Mexico's Dads are Redefining Fatherhood

Today's parents have the great family responsibility of re-educating ourselves and building parenthood in a different way, more egalitarian and participatory in the exercise, and in common agreement with the children and the partner, says the academic from the National School of Social Work of the UNAM, Erik García Estrada.

Based on data from the 2020 Population and Housing Census, in Mexico there were 44.9 million men aged 15 and over, 21.2 million of them (47 percent) identified themselves as the father of at least one daughter or son residing in the same home.

Father's Day in Mexico is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, an event that began in 1950 only in schools and later became widespread. It is a recognition of the importance of this figure in the family environment; Its origin dates back to 1910, in Washington, United States.

The university researcher points out in an interview that currently this figure represents differences: these are times where there is greater participation from the pregnancy process, the care, upbringing and education of children; emotional and affective closeness and physical contact. Moreover, more women contribute to family expenses. “In addition, themes of masculinity allow us to build a different fatherhood.”

This responds to the demand we have, that is, to also educate ourselves in health care and, above all, in continuous support for the family. In short, the possibility of being an image with which daughters and sons can identify, be present, and love them.

García Estrada rules out that it is impossible to achieve equality in the emotional bond with children, although there have been years of inequality. Policies and strategies are required that sensitize men to adopt certain teachings and learning, including demystifying issues that have been a problem.

Today's father figure would have to be equally involved in his own family planning, think about the number of descendants, as well as participate in daily activities, says the university professor.

According to the expert, it is necessary to build new forms of masculinity and fatherhood based on respect, empathy and equality, to achieve significant changes and a future in which we live free of stereotypes and discrimination.

“It is important to break stigmas and stereotypes built on the father figure as the visible head of the family group that provides sustenance, protection and security.” The times demand trying to denature and fight against gender violence, he suggests.

Likewise, he highlights that feedback and communication with the couple and family must be encouraged to establish different roles, especially more equitable and egalitarian. We should be thinking about that possibility, because there are also more divorces or separations, and with it a different construction of families.

The university student specifies that it also depends on educational and income levels, geographical area where one lives, as well as the social or community context in which parents and families develop to understand and work on processes of individual and social changes.

Erik García Estrada highlights the need to address masculinity issues in the academic and personal spheres to raise awareness among men. He will also look towards those public and private institutions, as well as civil society organizations.

For example, the initiative of the UNAM Coordination for Gender Equality which, together with institutions such as Gendes, A.C. and the WEM Institute (Masculinity, sexuality and couples), carry out the Facilitator Training Diploma for the Comprehensive Work with Men Program at UNAM.

In addition, they carry out work actions with men in university spaces to offer strategies and models linked to new paternity, re-educational exercises that respond to new transformations, as well as to address issues such as feelings, paternity and the responsibilities we have, he concludes.