Rohini Kesavan Rajeev
Healtheminds Pvt. Ltd., India
Title: The metamorphosis of parenting in urban India and the significance of a father’s role in child psycho-social development
Biography
Biography: Rohini Kesavan Rajeev
Abstract
Parenting roles in the past were clearly carved out and rigid; while nurturing, caring-for and conscientious upbringing was
primarily the Mother’s responsibility; providing for, disciplining and protecting was the Father’s. The overlap was minimal
and also dependant on the social organization of the family, which in most cases leaned towards Patriarchy, especially in
India. Parenting in India is transitioning. While traditional notions endorsed the father’s role as a provider, protector, teacher,
and moral guardian to children (Kane, 1974; Krishnan, 1998), with more middle-class women entering the workforce and
gender equality taking centre-stage in India, the demand for a man who has the knowledge, attitude, and skills to share coparenting
responsibilities is growing (Bharat, 2002; Datta & Maheshwari, 1997; Rajadhyaksha & Smita, 2004). Urban Indians
are becoming conscious of their individual parenting roles to ensure the best for their children (Datta, 2007; Gore, 2003; Sinha,
2003; Sriram, 2003). This makes the constructive participation of the father inevitable in the overall development of the child.
Research on Father Involvement in children’s psycho-social development although sporadic, presents a positive correlation
between highly involved fathers and a child’s cognitive functioning, emotional and educational development, overall wellbeing
and even occupational competency(Allen & Daly, 2007). According to a summary of evidence published by the Father
Involvement Research Alliance, Canada, children who grow up with extra care from the father are said to be more attached to
them, more resilient in the face of stress, happier during adolescence and even less depressed (Allen & Daly, 2007). This study
aims to understand the involvement of Indian Fathers in their children’s upbringing and the resulting effects using participant
narratives, specific literature and learnings from clinical work.