Dad said he was going to the store but never returned. The common trope highlights a societal problem with parents: fathers abandon their kids with no remorse, leaving single mothers who live in poverty and bear the brunt of society’s ire.
Why Do Fathers Abandon Their Kids?
One user came to Reddit seeking answers from real people on why the trope is so common in real life. Why do so many fathers abandon their children?
The responses mainly came from people who lived it. Their father left, and although many were never given a reason, some were. And some figured it out for themselves.
Not Useful
Some parents only care about their kids if they’re useful. If the kid boosts Dad’s ego or helps him keep a job or relationship, sure, Dad will stick around. These fathers leave the second the kid no longer serves a purpose but often show up when they’re financially stable enough to give dad some cash.
It’s Easier
Many dads don’t want to do the work of parenting. They leave because things are too hard and often show up when the kids are teenagers or young adults and no longer require a ton of work.
Selfish
Sometimes, the dad is too selfish to prioritize the kid’s needs. He leaves so he doesn’t have to sacrifice his wants for the child’s needs.
King of the Castle
Many men can’t handle competition for “their woman’s” affection. When the baby comes, and they’re no longer the most important thing in the house, they flip out and leave, finding someone who will put them first.
Not Ready To Parent
Fathers run because they aren’t ready for the intense responsibility of parenting. Young mothers typically aren’t prepared either, but they don’t have the option to run, and with more and more laws restricting access to reproductive care, we’re likely to see an increase in single mothers.
Terrible Person
Some men are just terrible people. They have no qualms about impregnating someone and ditching after getting what they want. The kids are probably better off without these awful folks in their lives.
New Wife
Fathers often abandon their children the second a new wife enters the picture. These dads only care about making the new woman happy; they don’t care about their already existing children.
Society Lets It Happen
There are few repercussions for dads who abandon their families. While some have to pay a small portion of their income for child support, many get away scot-free. In many jurisdictions, mothers get jailed for reckless abandonment for running away while no one cares if dad does it.
Men as Providers
Society also pigeonholes men into provider roles rather than caretaking roles. Even men who stay don’t help much with the kids; they think providing money is enough. Dads who leave take it just a tiny step forward by providing money (sometimes) from a distance.
Mom’s Fault
Many men who leave will blame their actions on the mother. They’ll claim she broke his heart by breaking up even though the breakup was mostly his fault. He either cheated, wouldn’t work, got into legal trouble, or struggled with addiction, but it was all her fault for not standing by his side while he brought them both down.
Others will claim the mom is mean and wouldn’t let them have custody. However, these men never even attempt to get custody. They sign it over because they don’t actually want to parent; they want to get sympathy points by pretending their kids were stolen from them.
Bored
The routine of parenthood is boring. Mom’s too worried about caring for the kids to keep the excitement alive in the marriage, and Dad can’t be bothered to help. So, he seeks excitement elsewhere, and when he finds it, he abandons his stable, predictable family for something new and exciting.
Reasons Not To Have Kids
Despite all the pressure to procreate, it’s perfectly valid not to want kids. Millennials and younger generations are opting out of parenthood at record rates.
Here are their top reasons for not wanting kids.
Will You Change Your Mind About a Baby?
Everyone tells childfree people they will change their minds. But is that true? Here’s what to consider if you’re on the fence about parenthood.
Talking About a Baby
Don’t have kids on a whim. Have these crucial conversations without your partner before deciding you’re ready for a baby.
Are You Ready for a Baby?
Think you’re ready for a baby? Consider these 15 points first.
Source: Reddit
The Partners in Fire editorial and staff writing teams join forces to bring you the latest and greatest trending topics in snackable bites.
The team covers entertainment, wellness, current affairs, social issues, and other topics in easily digestible pieces, allowing readers to sample juicy tidbits without deep diving into the nuance of each topic.
Grab your popcorn and get ready to snack!