Why Me, why now?

After finding myself married, looking after two very young children and being the backbone and support of the family, there was very little out there in the way of information about parenting and relationships from a dad-focused views and insights. I couldn’t help feeling like a bit of a pioneer with what I had begun to undertake back then. Being the primary carer, I began seeing the transition from manhood to fatherhood differently than the previous generation had. 

The internet is littered with sites dedicated to being better mothers. I see this as part of the challenge – it creates an ‘us against them’ mentality. The messaging seems to be ‘Women are the only ones that can save the day on the home front’ …men are simply auxiliary and isolated, or worse, ignored altogether.

There’s a lot of lip-service given to stay at home dad’s… The evidencing of this is obvious especially when it comes to the divorce process and custody of children. Until this is taken seriously, including financial acknowledgement within government policy, it will never be taken seriously within society. 

Men have concerns and uncertainties not only about their role as fathers, single men or partners, but also around navigating through a minefield of societal expectations. Hood Of Man reflects a community, a neighbourhood vibe, where men (and women) can feel comfortable being a part of.