Father’s Day Spotlight: Recognizing the Struggles and Strength of Single Fathers

What we can ascertain is their disproportionately high mortality rate. According to a study published in The Lancet, mortality among single fathers (5.8 per 1000 person-years) was found to be three times higher than single mothers (1.74 per 1000 person-years) and partnered fathers.<

The question arises – why is their mortality rate 3 times higher? The study did not definitively identify the reasons, underscoring the need for further research in this field. 

However, many hypothesize that the social stigma attached to the mother’s role as the primary caregiver could be a contributing factor. For instance, our workplaces seldom consider the specific needs of single fathers caring for their children. If a man requests time off to attend to a sick child, the response he receives may differ from that of a woman making a similar request. Furthermore, men often refrain from expressing the hardships of single parenthood due to societal pressures labeling such disclosure as a sign of weakness in men.

Additional factors are attributed to the diminished mental health of single fathers. Research conducted in South Korea revealed that single fathers exhibited a lower quality of life (OR 7.30, 95% CI 2.82-18.74), increased symptoms of depression (OR 3.85, 95% CI 1.29-11.45), and heightened stress levels. These aspects could potentially contribute to their life expectancy being three times shorter.