PARENTING is a lifelong process. It comprises different stages, from primary care and grooming to emotional development and self-recognition. This role cannot be undertaken by one of the two parents. Neither the mother nor the father can do all these things on their own. The two have to come together for synchronised and collaborative parenting.
Asymmetrical parenting is harmful in multiple ways. It puts all the financial responsibilities on the shoulders of men. Consequently, men become victims of stress and depression when they cannot meet such expectations. On the other hand, women who are confined to childcare cannot actively contribute to the country’s economy. As a result, half of the human capital goes unutilised.
Asymmetrical parenting results in an unbalanced concept of gender roles for children, which in turn leads to the continuation of patriarchy. Researchers have shown that unbalanced emotional development is generally found in children belonging to families with a clear-cut demarcation of gender roles.
It is imperative to change this notion of parenting, which should be reconfigured on a mutual responsibility-sharing design. The mother and father should be mutual partners in all types of responsibilities. They should both be breadwinners as well as caretakers.
MUHAMMAD MUBASIR KHAN AKHROTA
BHAKKAR
