New Delhi: On the occasion of International Men’s Day, former India batsman Suresh Raina highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes in lifestyle and responsibilities for men. He also said that men have now become co-parents in many ways as they have never spent time with family so deeply.
“For many men, the pandemic has altered the entire lifestyle and responsibilities. Never before have so many men spent so much time deep in the family trenches. With the pandemic came more time at home for everyone. And with that, came more time with their families specially children, getting involved in activities like making lunches, managing schedules, negotiating television and video game time, tending to tantrums and sibling spats. This International Men’s Day, we need to envision men as active co-parents, who are not just “helpers” in parenting but also an equal-half, who take up equal responsibility,” Raina was quoted saying to ANI.
The 33-year-old batsman also talked about the change in the roles of men over the years as they are no longer just the wage earners for their home. “We need to create a fertile environment for today’s perennials (millennial who is a parent) to question the regressive gendered division of labour and establish better parental bonds with his child. The perennial generation, comprised of young parents, is more open to this change. It`s great to see the perennial fathers actively trying to change the usual behaviour pattern and get more involved with their children,” he added.
Raina also added that the coronavirus pandemic has altered responsibilities for me to in so many ways. “We celebrate the men who are learning and taking-up more responsibility as never before, while also excelling in their other roles. Roles of men has drastically changed over the years, we are no longer tagged just as the wage earners of the house but form a strong foundation alongside with their partners,” Raina said.
