Daily Dad News

1 Out Of 7 Dads Are Main Caretakers In UK Homes

December 27, 2011

It appears that stay-at-home-dads are on the rise in the United Kingdom as some cash-strapped families look for ways to save while others became SAHDs by choice. A survey done by an insurance firm reported that one out of five men stated that being a SAHD made them feel less than adequate.

British paper The Sun writer Ellie Ross went into the London suburb of Wimbledon to investigate a group of dads and their children who embrace their SAHD roles with pride. Dads & Littl’Uns, a playgroup of fathers and their children, was formed for fathers who have seized the reigns of fatherhood and parenting in a way that many citizens of the country still find untraditional.

“I still get some funny looks when people see me pushing a pram," shared Cory Hughes, the group's lead organizer. "Society is programmed into thinking that the man's role is to work and that childcare is for women. But here we make childcare for men.”

Operating for nine years, Dads & Littl’Uns shares a unique distinction in the realm of playgroups – the adult participants are all male. Most of the dads stayed home with their children simply because their wives earned enough income to sustain finances for their homes.

The group began in 2003 as a prank between dad pals. Founder David Tarpey explains: “I didn't find mother-and-toddler groups interesting and because of the name I wasn't sure if I was welcome. Men want to be with other men, especially if they are going against the grain by being the primary carer. It started out as a joke between me and the only other dad at the playgroup.”

Now a serious operation, Dads & Littl’Uns provides these dads a manlier experience to go along with their child rearing duties, often talking about things that interest them like sports and pub visits. Simon Otter, a group participant, neatly summed up his fondness for the playgroup. “This group was such a welcome relief. You can only spend so long in the park,” he said.

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