Where's Dad?

Sadly, the traditional norms of doting mother and distant father still hold true in modern China. In a recent article published in the China Daily, the author raises some serious issues about the effect a father's absence can have on their child.

In the article, Xiao Xu, a college student from Anhui province says, "I've become used to my father's long absences. Although I am a little scared of him, I can understand him." I'm sure these are not the words a father wants to hear from his offspring.

The article goes on to say that as busy dads continue to work long hours, Chinese mothers are becoming increasingly responsible for the bulk of the parenting. The result? What amounts to a quasi single-parent family which Chinese netizens have dubbed jiadanqin.

The article doesn't suggest any real way around the problem. In fact, things just get worse: Children grow up basing their future relationships on their parents' and repeat the same mistakes. That doesn't give you a warm, fuzzy feeling, does it?

For more articles on the why, and how, dads are spending time with their kids, click on the links below:

• The Fathering Gap: Pitfalls of Modern Fatherhood
• Study: Dads spending much more time with children
• Why dads are being encouraged to spend more time with their kids
• Working dads putting family first
  
• Why Your Kids Are Overweight