This father is seen cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, wiping tears, and being completely absorbed in his adoring children. Society did not see men as persons capable of and competent at being responsible for children's routine needs. These responsibilities have traditionally been considered the mother's domain, while fathers filled the role of the child's playmate. Studies have shown that fathers can be as competent as mothers in caregiving, and that children benefit in many ways from father involvement. These benefits include all areas of social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Fathers are, however, somewhat more involved in taking care of children when mothers are at work.
In most of these cases, mothers and fathers worked split shifts. Fathers' involvement in family work has increased relative to mothers' involvement mainly because mothers have become less involved in household chores. But in general, fathers are not more involved in overall household and caretaking tasks. Several researchers have noted, however, that when men do take on family chores, their involvement usually focuses on the children. Many fathers would like to become more involved with their children, but there are many factors that discourage this involvement.