Much has been written about the importance of mums in a child's life, we are amazing after all! Yet much less is written about the importance of a dad in a child's life relating to how much they do around the home and the hands on care they give to their children. Where both parents are around to support, care and look after their offspring, whether they are living together or not, the role of the modern dad is bigger than ever.
Dads Often Share Childcare As Well As Chores These Days -Copyright Halfpoint Shutterstock
Legal and General have carried out a piece of research that says that dads are worth over £20,000 a year for the unpaid childcare and household tasks they do. You may say, well yes, mums are worth that too or even more, however the point I want to make is, that it is worth considering how you would cope financially if the dad of a household was taken critically ill or something even worse happened. In fact, for that matter how would you cope financially if this happened to the mum of a household?
Map of dads contributions to their household in childcare and chores
Years ago dads had more traditional roles. In the 40's and 50's it was rare to find men helping with the household chores but today many dads do. Dads have always loved playing with their children but traditionally never changed a nappy, yet many dads today have done this not so pleasant task, as well as the shopping, cooking, cleaning and ironing on a regular basis.
After the birth of a child, couples can also share up to 12 months leave between them, and although mums generally have more time off, dads are now taking a bigger role in the early life of their children. If you have children, and are living with a partner just think about how you would manage if they were taken ill. It doesn't bear thinking about does it?
Of course many women work these days and many dads look after children when they spouse is working. Between 1948 and 2001, the percentage of working age women employed or looking for work nearly doubled - from less than 33 percent to more than 60 percent. Jobs today are not traditionally 9 to 5 either with many parents working shifts to provide for their children and dads often look after their children when mum is working.
So how much time do dads spend with their children and on household chores every week? The answer is 47.5 hours a week compared to mums 65.5 hours a week on average.
In the research by Legal and General, when asked to prioritise certain statement related to finances, the one that came out on top in the research was 'making sure the children are financially looked after if you weren't able to'. However only 55% of dads surveyed in this research had any type of life insurance.
Life insurance can be bought by mums as well as dads and cover can start at a little over a pound a week, which is affordable and something to seriously consider if you have children. Getting life insurance means there is one less worry in your life, one less thing to think about, and means you are sorted financially if the worst happens.
Tell me, was your dad a modern dad? Have you considered life insurance?
Life insurance can be bought by mums as well as dads and cover can start at a little over a pound a week, which is affordable and something to seriously consider if you have children. Getting life insurance means there is one less worry in your life, one less thing to think about, and means you are sorted financially if the worst happens.
Tell me, was your dad a modern dad? Have you considered life insurance?
* I was compensated for this post, all words and opinions are my own. Please be aware that life assurance is not a savings or investment product and has no cash value unless a valid claim is made
