Father's Day 2025 Highlights: Homebound Pops Break Stereotypes, Championing Equal Parenting Role
When 4 AM rolls around and CA Paras Tambi tenderly cradles his newborn son, Yuven, he realizes this isn't just fatherhood-it's being present. "No user manual for this," he admits, "but presence is everything. I might not biologically birth him, but I can damn well be an involved, supportive parent."
Father's Day 2025 sees a profound shift in Indian fatherhood. More urban dads are embracing roles usually relegated to mothers, taking on primary caregiving, managing homes, and challenging conventional notions of masculinity.
Hidden Revolution
SAHDs, once considered offbeat, are quietly becoming a visible part of India's urban fabric. Although concrete data remains scarce, a 2024 study by the Centre for Social Research showed a 23% growth over the previous five years in males taking career breaks to support partners or co-parent full-time, notably in metros like Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, and Gurugram.
Dr. Rukmini Sen, a sociologist at Ambedkar University, explains, "We're witnessing a new class of educated, city-dwelling males consciously choosing caregiving roles. They're redefining masculinity and partnership, not because they've struggled professionally, but because they're questioning norms."
Presence, not perfection, is Paras's focus. "From diaper changes to doctor visits, I've been all in. It's not a compromise, it's a privilege."
Sparsh Rastogi, father to 2-year-old Raaya, echoes this sentiment. "Watching my daughter grow, learn, and navigate this world fills me with awe. Being at home isn't a fallback; it's a front-row seat to her becoming her own person."
The mundane tasks, such as meal prep and tantrum soothing, become moments of connection, trust, and love. "These aren't chores," Sparsh emphasizes, "they're shared experiences."
A growing number of Indian males concur, sacrificing long commutes for cuddle time and spreadsheets for bedtime stories.
Role Reversal
For Simran Bhatnagar, a digital content creator, having a stay-at-home dad during her upbringing offered her a unique, enriching childhood. "Dad worked from home while Mom went to the office. He stepped up when Dad needed to, without question," she remembers.
"I was raised by my dad more than my mom. Roles were reversed in our home. I've always felt immensely proud of that."
In families like Simran's, gender roles shifted; they became fluid and equal. Shared responsibility, emotional intelligence, and a rejection of gendered expectations were the norm.
Sameer Ali, a Hyderabad-based freelance voiceover artist, left his ad agency job in 2022 when his wife's startup began scaling up. "I realized that we both didn't need to chase the corporate grind. So, I started freelancing from home, taking over the primary care of our twin daughters," he says.
School drop-offs, dance recitals, and lunchbox routines have fostered a deep bond between Sameer and his daughters, a bond born of trust, companionship, and togetherness. "My daughters run to me when they're hurt, or when they're proud. That trust, you can't buy that-you earn it by showing up."
Nikhil Narayanan, a Chennai-based freelance motion designer, followed suit. "My wife is a doctor with unpredictable hours. Early in our marriage, we agreed I'd handle the bulk of childcare. I didn't expect to enjoy it this much!"
"My son took his first steps on a casual Tuesday afternoon while I was cooking dal. I got to witness that. Priceless."
Dismantling the Myths
Despite uplifting stories of stay-at-home dads, many still face societal judgment. From probing questions like "Don't you feel any less masculine?" to assumptions they're unemployed, acceptance remains a challenge.
A 2023 survey by the Indian Parenting League revealed 63% of male primary caregivers felt socially isolated, and 74% reported facing intrusive or dismissive questions about their choices.
"For decades, we've honored the 'provider father.' Any hint of emotional labor, patience, or nurturing has been seen as weakness," notes gender rights advocate Rituja Mehta. "But emotional intelligence, patience, and care are strengths, not shortcomings."
Silent Evolution
While these stories might not represent the majority yet, they signal a shift toward shared parenting, emotional fluency, and the dismantling of gendered expectations. The focus isn't on males aiding their partners; it's about equality, emotional engagement, and redefining caregiving.
In Sparsh's own words, "The most valuable legacy I can leave isn't fame, accolades, or wealth-it’s memories made, love given, and values instilled."
Did You Know?
India saw a 36-minute daily increase in male participation in childcare between 2019 and 2023, according to a UN Women regional study. South Korea and India witnessed the most significant growth among G20 countries in the number of stay-at-home dads from 2020 to 2024, though numbers remain relatively low.
Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube have seen a 40% surge in Indian content tagged #DadLife and #PapaGoals in 2024. Even though data specific to India is limited, the trend points to a growing acceptance and appreciation for the role of stay-at-home dads.
One can observe a growth in the number of stay-at-home fathers in urban India, particularly in cities like Mumbai, pushing against traditional gender roles and norms. A 2024 study showed a 23% increase in males taking career breaks to support partners or co-parent full-time.
Amid the rise of involved and supportive fathers, one finds a changing landscape for relationships in Indian households. Fathers, such as Sparsh Rastogi, see their roles not as secondary or compromised, but as a privilege that allows them to witness their children's growth and development.
These fathers find joy and connection in tasks once considered mundane, like meal preparation and soothing tantrums, redefining these chores as shared experiences that foster trust and love. The increasing number of Indian males choosing to sacrifice long commutes for cuddle time and forego office politics for bedtime stories are ushering in a new chapter of fatherhood in India.
