Hands-on dads have more satisfying relationships with their children
Key messages
Australian fathers who spend more time on child care are the most satisfied with their relationships with their children
When fathers are more satisfied with the relationship they have with their partner or their parents, they are considerably more satisfied with the bonds they have with their kids
Fathers with children under 15 years old spend an average of 13 hours a week on child care (much less than mothers who spend an average of 28 hours)
Fathers of pre-schoolers who are completely satisfied with their relationship with their children spend an average of 18 hours per week caring for their children. The least satisfied dads with the same-aged children spent an average of 10 hours per week caring for them
Overall, fathers tend to be most satisfied with the relationship with their children when they are younger, before the youngest enters the teen years
When children live at least part of the time in another house due to parents’ separation, fathers spend less time on child care – those fathers are also less satisfied with their relationship with their children
Fathers with more children spend less time on general child care such as playing with children, helping with their personal care, coaching or taking them to school
Having more children equates to fathers putting more time into housework than hands-on child care
Authors and Acknowledgements
Compiled by Dr Jenny Baxter, Australian Institute of Family Studies, drawing on data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics (HILDA) survey.
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