The perfect picture of the meaning of fatherhood makes parents feel like a failure

A recent study conducted by Waterwipes revealed that depicting the features of the “ideal image” of the meaning of “fatherhood” in the cultural norm causes a feeling of frustration among parents in the world. In response to these developments, Waterwipes launched the hashtag #ThisIsParenthood – a global project dedicated to documenting and portraying the true meaning of parenthood in a unique and honest way. Remarkably, the #ThisIsParenthood campaign, launched in partnership with Mums and Dads and Lucy Cohen, BAFTA-nominated filmmaker, aims to open up more open and transparent channels of conversation about what it means to be 'parents' and instill self-confidence in parents around the world. .

 

The new global study revealed that more than half of fathers and mothers in the UAE feel that they have failed during the first year of their parenting experience (51%) - knowing that this feeling is felt more by mothers than fathers (57% versus 43%). This sentiment stems from a number of sources, including one-sided advice on how to achieve ideal parenting, to the massive information flow on Instagram, with nearly a third of parents in the UAE admitting that Social media places more pressure on them in terms of striving to be ideal parents (28%). Besides, one in five fathers believes that the representation and portrayal of ideal fatherhood in advertisements is a significant factor in making them feel as if they are failing in their parenting role (21%).

As a result of this pressure, parents feel that they are unable to be honest in their quest for honest parenting from their objective point of view (43%), with more than half of respondents indicating that they hide their anxiety and display illusory courage rather than acknowledging, with absolute integrity, their reality Reality about the role assigned to them as actual parents (53%). It should be noted here that millennial parents in the UAE feel this more deeply and more deeply than any other age group, with two-thirds of parents (61%) explicitly feeling this way.

The study also showed that nearly two-thirds of fathers and mothers in the United Arab Emirates feel that they are far from the typical personalities that reflect the characteristics of realistic fatherhood through the personalities they follow on social networking sites (56%), where, according to the study, a number of Bigger than fathers who aspire to more integrity, 7 in 10 respondents wished there was a more credible representation of the meaning of fatherhood in real life (72%) and across social media (67%).

Through the #ThisIsParenthood campaign, Waterwipes aims to make a decisive difference to the concept and meaning of fatherhood by focusing on highlighting facts, aligning negative and positive aspects, and bringing parents together to exchange views and personal experiences. Ultimately, we seek to build and instill trust in parents by opening more open and credible channels of discussion about the concept of paternity.

In this regard, I spoke Kathy Kidd, Global Vice President of Marketing at Waterwipes saying,  “This global study has proven its results and feasibility, and it comes at a time when parents feel a kind of failure, especially when they see themselves surrounded by fake symbolic images that have nothing to do with the meaning of ideal parenting. As an integrity-first company, we strive to change that perception through our products, our advertising, and everything we do.

We look forward to parents from all over the world joining us in this project, and we hope that they will share their personal experience with us through the hashtag. #ThisIsParenthood, so that together we can make a big difference for the better, and ultimately, so that we can begin to instill self-confidence in the parents of the world. “

To launch the #ThisIsParenthood campaign, we collaborated with 86 parents on three continents to produce a 16-minute documentary, 12 short films and a series of photoshoots that shine a light on real fatherhood like never before.

She indicated Cécile de Scaly, Leading Parenting and Family Educator at Angel Mama & Baby Care in the UAE and expert midwife“I believe that parenthood is a beautiful and exciting journey, and it is important for new parents to have constructive support in their new and unique experience. Today, with Waterwipes launching an initiative aimed at bridging the integrity and credibility gap around the true meaning of fatherhood, I hope this initiative inspires more parents, instills confidence in their abilities and makes them realize that when they feel happy and satisfied with their parenting decisions, fatherhood will be A smooth and positive experience for them and their little ones dear to their hearts.”