Vintage photographs and recent research reveal a remarkable evolution in fatherhood across the United States, shedding light on the changing roles of men in the family over centuries. This shift, deeply influenced by economic, social, and cultural forces, mirrors trends emerging in Thailand, where the landscape of parenting is also undergoing significant change.
For most of American history, fathers were the moral backbone of the family, directly responsible for raising children both through discipline and skills training. Before US industrialization, and tracing back to colonial times, historical analysis by social science experts shows that if children went astray, society often placed the blame squarely on the father’s shoulders. In rural communities, this accountability extended to teaching children practical skills—farming, hunting, and roles essential to communal survival (source).
With the rise of industrialization, however, the American archetype of the father shifted. Scholars such as a prominent University of Michigan historian note that as men flocked to urban workplaces, their role became defined as the family’s financial “breadwinner.” Separation of home and workplace diminished fathers’ direct involvement in child-rearing, solidifying the division between male breadwinners and female caregivers in popular imagination.
The celebration of Father’s Day, which began to take shape in the early 1900s and grew during the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, further commercialized and formalized the father figure as the provider. According to cultural historians, the gifting traditions promoted during this holiday were not only social but economic strategies intended to boost spending—especially relevant during hard times (Old Farmer’s Almanac).
Later in the 20th century, history records another sharp inflection point: World War II and the subsequent entrance of women into the workforce. US government archives and studies by PBS reflect that as millions of men were drafted, women filled essential labor roles, transforming the home dynamic. By the 1960s, dual-earner households were common, and men, though still considered primary providers, faced new pressure to participate in home life and childcare (PBS).
These changes catalyzed what family researchers in the National Council on Family Relations call the “new nurturant father” movement of the 1970s. Men, still breadwinners, began to play a more active and emotional role in their children’s development. Social scientists, noting rising rates of divorce and legal reforms such as the legalization of no-fault divorce in 1969, began to explore the psychological consequences of absent fathers—findings that contributed to shifting social attitudes about men’s emotional presence at home (Cornell University study).
By the 1980s, the norm of the “involved father” gained more traction, with psychologists and sociologists highlighting the benefits for children raised with present and affectionate fathers. Statistics from the American Psychological Association reveal a 50% rise in stay-at-home dads between 2003 and 2006, correlated with higher women’s wages and changing social expectations. Notably, this phenomenon spiked during economic downturns, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic—a trend confirmed by reporting from the Pew Research Center (Pew Research).
Despite these increases, the share of stay-at-home fathers still lags behind mothers, comprising just 7% in 2021. Motivations differ as well: men often cite disability, retirement, or education as reasons for staying home, while economic necessity or preference over third-party childcare remain common factors for both genders. Even so, The New York Times and other reputable media sources report that modern American fathers now spend more time with their children than ever before, with a trend towards balanced, co-parenting models (The New York Times).
For Thai readers, these patterns offer insightful parallels and contrasts. Across Thailand, the traditional family structure has long privileged mothers as the primary nurturers and caregivers. Yet, since the 1997 economic crisis and more recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thai men have found themselves assuming increased domestic and caregiving roles, often under economic duress. Today, it is not uncommon to see fathers participating in school routines, temple activities, parent-teacher associations, and even as front-line caregivers when mothers join the formal workforce (Bangkok Post).
Sociological studies out of Chulalongkorn and Mahidol universities indicate that the Thai notion of “khun por”—the family’s moral leader and protector—is also expanding. More families now emphasize “poh phu son”—the father as a gentle guide. An assistant professor from a leading faculty of Social Sciences in Bangkok points out, “We see Thai fathers assisting with homework, joining extracurricular activities, and engaging more openly in emotional conversations with their children. While mothers still shoulder the greater mental and physical household burden, the gap is narrowing.”
Yet, challenges remain. Network studies on the wellbeing of Thai children highlight that societal expectations and economic realities can be slow to change. The “outside father”—absent due to migration for work, as is common in the Northeast and among urban poor—remains a significant issue. Similar concerns of isolation are felt by the growing but still rare group of stay-at-home dads in Bangkok and other major cities, mirroring the experience of American fathers described in research by the APA.
Cultural shifts in Thailand are also seen in pop culture and social media. Influencer dads on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube challenge stereotypes, sharing content about family routines, cooking, and balancing modern Thai traditions with new family roles. As a family development researcher from Thammasat University notes, “Media representation is key. When children and adults see men care for babies, cook, or talk about feelings, it makes it easier for real fathers to step into these spaces.”
The implications for Thai society are profound. Greater father involvement has been linked in local research to improved child wellbeing, better academic outcomes, and stronger family bonds. Yet experts emphasize that true gender equality requires support from institutions—through paternal leave, flexible workplace policies, and community-level respect for all forms of caregiving.
Looking to the future, the experience of American fathers offers both lessons and warnings. While much progress has been achieved, social attitudes can lag behind legal and economic change. Both in the US and Thailand, family experts foresee an ongoing negotiation as men and women seek new models of partnership to meet the evolving needs of children, aging parents, and the wider society.
For Thai readers, this evolving story of fatherhood reveals not just a trend, but a critical opportunity: to rethink what it means to be a parent, a son, a husband, and a community member. Families, educators, and policymakers are encouraged to nurture open conversations about shared responsibilities and to support fathers, mothers, and other caregivers through targeted policies, educational programs, and community initiatives.
Practical recommendations for Thai families include:
- Encouraging more equitable sharing of household and childcare duties, beginning from childhood;
- Advocating for and utilizing paternal leave—both in the public and private sector;
- Participating in school and temple activities as a family, to reinforce community-centered models of fathering;
- Leveraging media and educational resources that showcase diverse and positive father roles;
- Seeking community and peer support for fathers facing challenges, including isolation or mental health concerns;
- Engaging in regular family dialogue about expectations, roles, and dreams for children and parents alike.
Ultimately, as shown in countless vintage photos or Facebook feeds, the story of fatherhood is still being written—on both sides of the Pacific.
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