A hidden army of dads are not only caring for their sick or disabled child but also for another family member or friend, a survey by Carers Trust and the Men’s Health Forum reveals.
The study showed that 46% of the men surveyed were not only caring for a young or adult child, but were also caring for their wives or partners, their own parents or more than one of their children, according to their joint report Dads Care Too.
The charities say this is just a drop in the ocean and that many unpaid male carers are still unidentified and unsupported. They say more help and support is needed to help dads who are carers continue to carry out their demanding and often gruelling role.
The results showed:
- 20% cared for 21 years or more
- Most (72%) were caring for a child with a learning disability or autism.
- More than a quarter (35%) also worked in addition to caring.
- A third of dads said they never get a break from caring
Dads in the survey provide emotional support, carry out housework or gardening, help with transportation and other tasks like feeding, washing and dressing.
More than 40% said it had a negative impact on their mental health and physical health.
While 55% of the dads interviewed also said the needs of male carers were different to those of female carers.
One dad said: “We seem to be treated differently by the medical profession. I think that as most support for my daughter is female, they don’t see me as they would her mother.”
The dads said they needed support too and called for their roles to be recognised and for them to be included in networks and activities in the same way as mothers. They also urged employers to adopt and publicise carer-friendly employment policies to encourage better understanding of dads who care.
Martin Tod, Chief Executive of the Men’s Health Forum, said:
“Dads have told us that just a little more support would make a vast difference to their lives. Many are caring around the clock, with some juggling work with caring for their child and partner. Most said they simply wanted a break from their caring role, but a third said they just never got one.”
Dr Moira Fraser, Director of Policy and Research for Carers Trust, said: “Social networks and activities are often not geared up for dads because there is an assumption that most carers are female, but the 2011 Census figures show that four in 10 carers in England and Wales are male. It’s therefore vital that we acknowledge them and provide services designed with them in mind. We need to support the invaluable and often unrewarded and unpaid care that they provide.”