By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Starr FmStarr FmStarr Fm
  • Home
  • Election Hub
  • General
    GeneralShow More
    Capitation grant arrears fully cleared – Finance Minister
    July 24, 2025
    We’ll increase domestic revenue without overburdening Ghanaians – Finance Minister
    July 24, 2025
    Starrfm.com.gh
    Drop in inflation not by chance – Finance Minister
    July 24, 2025
    Gov’t to recover GH¢150.4m as over 14,000 ghost names found – Ato Forson
    July 24, 2025
    Finance Ministry commissions forensic audit into 55 projects – Ato Forson
    July 24, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Capitation grant arrears fully cleared – Finance Minister
    July 24, 2025
    We’ll increase domestic revenue without overburdening Ghanaians – Finance Minister
    July 24, 2025
    Starrfm.com.gh
    Drop in inflation not by chance – Finance Minister
    July 24, 2025
    Gov’t to recover GH¢150.4m as over 14,000 ghost names found – Ato Forson
    July 24, 2025
    Finance Ministry commissions forensic audit into 55 projects – Ato Forson
    July 24, 2025
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Gov’t saves GH₵4.9bn in interest payments – Ato Forson
    July 24, 2025
    Efforts underway to revamp Prof. Mills Library after years of neglect – Mahama
    July 24, 2025
    Ablekuma North Violence: Arrests mean nothing without prosecution – Security Consultant
    July 24, 2025
    Police arrest two in connection with Ablekuma North rerun violence
    July 24, 2025
    Ghanaians are not robots sworn to parties – Julius Anthony jabs NPP
    July 23, 2025
  • Entertainment
    EntertainmentShow More
    The Weeknd & Shakira to headline 2025 Global Citizen Festival with Tyla, Ayra Starr & Mariah The Scientist
    July 22, 2025
    ACP partners MiPrime Entertainment to Champion Investment in Ghana’s Creative Industry
    July 21, 2025
    I want music to be my legacy, not fame – Rocky Dawuni
    July 18, 2025
    The sense to minister with music came early – Rocky Dawuni
    July 18, 2025
    “You can’t be a Black man and worship a white God” – Rocky Dawuni
    July 18, 2025
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Kofi Adams hails Black Queens for gallant AFCON semi-final performance
    July 23, 2025
    Black Queens bow out of WAFCON 2024 after 4–2 penalty loss to Morocco
    July 23, 2025
    Sports Minister rallies Black Queens ahead of WAFCON semi-final with Morocco
    July 22, 2025
    Ghana and Serbia forge strategic sports partnership with landmark MoU
    July 22, 2025
    Ghana to host historic Rugby League Tri-Nation Series this November
    July 21, 2025
  • Technology
    TechnologyShow More
    AI integrated skills training needed to escape job losses – NBU YEC
    July 23, 2025
    Samsung Ghana unveils 2025 TV line-up
    July 22, 2025
    Osman Ayariga speaking on youth empowerment and AI at World Youth Skills Day event
    “Youth should not see AI as competition, but as a digital tool” – Osman Ayariga
    July 17, 2025
    Samsung Introduces Future-Ready Mobile Security for Personalized AI Experiences
    July 16, 2025
    Samsung Electronics acquires Xealth, bridging the gap between wellness and medical care
    July 16, 2025
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu signs MoUs with GEICO and CMS Group for new public universities
    Education Minister signs MoUs with GEICO, CMS Group to establish two public universities
    July 15, 2025
    Presidency terminates Zoomlion’s contract over concerns of impropriety and inflated billing
    Mahama pushes AU–CARICOM partnership to strengthen global reparations push
    July 14, 2025
    47th AU Forum: Ablakwa criticizes $1.2m AfCFTA allocation as ‘highly insufficient’
    July 10, 2025
    Minority demands audit over $1.2m passport relaunch cost and delays
    July 9, 2025
    Minority demands compensation for citizens stranded by US embassy closure
    July 9, 2025
  • Factometer
Search
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Slow down, Dads at Work! – Akorfa Takal writes
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Starr FmStarr Fm
Font ResizerAa
  • Headlines
  • Election Hub
  • General
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Factometer
Search
  • Headlines
  • Election Hub
  • General
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Factometer
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Editors PickFeatures

Slow down, Dads at Work! – Akorfa Takal writes

Starrfm.com.gh By Starrfm.com.gh Published June 13, 2023
Share
By Akorfa Takal, Head, Learning and Development – Stanbic Bank Ghana
SHARE

In most African cultures, women are unlikely to declare themselves as the head of household if there is an adult male present. This responsibility of household headship our men carry with valour, has no doubt made them heroic, a meal ticket, and everything in between.

Caring for the economic well-being of the household, just as any other social role comes with its own boons and coons. A man definitely needs a source of income to be able to enter the ‘world’s best father contest’, and to be seen as a ‘good’ husband or partner. The relative financial contributions of men and women as we know, differ significantly by the educational attainment, cultural and religious backgrounds of each partner.

In as much as it is very important for a man to be able to support a family financially, we equally ought to pause and ask our men the question no one is asking.

How do working dads handle the psychological distress that comes with fatherhood?

Although a considerable body of research points to an overall positive association between employment and mental health, employment status per se does not take into account the fact that the psychological and social conditions of work vary greatly among the employed and in ways that may affect mental health.

Recent studies have illuminated the mechanisms through which fatherhood might produce some deleterious health effects. Some of this poorer health appearing as a result of an association between fathering and lack of emotional support. In this article, working dads will learn how they can slow down, unwind, and keep grounded in all other areas of their lives, especially the parenting part.

It’s easy to feel strung-out as a father, but in this part of our world, barima nsu! (men don’t cry). This maxim goes beyond its literal meaning of how ‘unmanly’ it is to weep/cry or throw in the towel in despair as a male. Societal rules for being a man or a woman have taught us how to behave or respond to situations, based on our gender. Recent studies which have examined men’s coping mechanisms with regards to psychological problems have found that substance use and other risky behaviours seem to be correlated with psychological suffering (Bilsker et al., 2018; Liu & Iwamoto, 2007). These coping behaviours have been attributed to masculine ideologies that endorse masking or ignoring negative feelings and avoiding reliance on health professionals and other people. Such beliefs, if combined with isolation and absence of meaningful relationships, can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour.

While men may no longer need to spend their days hunting and gathering, many dads still possess that same kind of passionate do-it-yourself mindset. Dads like to be in charge of their own destinies, use their hands to build stuff, and see projects through from humble beginnings to glorious finish.

We know you aren’t fans of asking for help, we do appreciate and recognize this fiercely independent spirit. But have you defined what success means to you and how you want to attain it? Do you want to be the coach of your kids’ little league or looking to take over captaincy of a whole industry? Whatever your goals are, it is always a good thing to ask for support when need be! Look around you, identify those who fit into your plan frame to get the job done, and deposit some time into your free time account. Time as a currency is always fulfilling when spent wisely with families, friends, loved ones, or just by yourself to reflect and recharge.

Even with the rise of breadwinner moms and dual-income couples, fathers are the sole or primary providers for about 85% of dual-parent households.

It can be upsetting to watch your father overwork himself at an age when you would hope he has the luxury to slow down and relax in anticipation of enjoying his upcoming retirement years.

From my experience working with dads, most of them do not deny the fact that fatherhood coupled with official assignments get them very stressed. A big project at work, a visit from the in-laws, a malfunctioning DSTV remote – all of it raises tension levels. It’s no secret that such anxieties impact someone’s overall health. From headaches to skin challenges, everything is affected by ramped-up stress.

First of all, it’s important to understand that men are no different from women, children, grandparents, whomever. They suffer mental health issues; they just don’t talk about it as much. Children, as we know, especially younger kids, mimic what they see. Watching the symptoms of a father’s mental health struggles, whether it’s sadness, frustration, anger, or isolation, can impact a child in several ways. So, dads, please slow down, and take advantage of available resources dedicated to making the role of fatherhood much easier for working dads.

Secondly, self-care is not for a particular gender. It’s about time dads update their priority lists to include self-care. Self-care is far from being self-indulgent or being selfish. It simply means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day.

Most importantly, what can fathers from any generational cohort, who want to focus on both career and family do to get the balance right?  Your professional success shouldn’t come at the expense of your family, nor should being present at home compromise your ability to run a business. Make time for little things like birthdays, school open days, trips to the dentist, family workouts etc. Do what makes you happy, keeps you calm or makes you sane. But remember, your family is a reflection of the energy you invest, which ultimately goes a long way to impact your output at work.

How quickly we’ve transitioned from receiving care to being carers ourselves. You took on a role that didn’t come with a manual, fatherhood – and you are doing fantastically okay. When you are blessed with your firstborn, you become a father. But when the second-born comes, you become a referee now. Sadly, paternity leave in Ghana is nothing to write home about, but that hasn’t stopped our men from being the best dads they can be. Fathers can only be heroes to their kids when they are in excellent health. So slow down, unwind, recharge and keep being our GOAT (Greatest Of All Teachers).

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM

You Might Also Like

Change in Government: A Legal Perspective on Corporate Governance in SOEs

Has the NPP’s Delegates Conference Mended the Cracks in the Party?

I want music to be my legacy, not fame – Rocky Dawuni

The sense to minister with music came early – Rocky Dawuni

“I see God in everybody” – Rocky Dawuni on unity beyond race or tribe

TAGGED:Stanbic Bank
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Share
Previous Article Standard Bank cements position as Africa’s foremost Financial Services Brand
Next Article Change politics around mining to harness benefits for sustainable dev’t – Chief Alhassan Andani

Starr 103.5FM

Starr FmStarr Fm
Follow US
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
newsletter icon
Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest in news, podcasts etc..

[mc4wp_form]
Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Our site is an advertising supported site. Please whitelist to support our site.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?