A new study reveals that half of the world's parents feel unsupported by society, as economic pressures and lack of workplace flexibility hinder their ability to care for their families. The State of the World's Fathers 2026: Stretched to the Breaking Point, released by Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice, shows that fathers value caregiving more than ever but are stretched to their limits.
Key Findings
The study, based on online panels of 8,000 parents and caregivers across 16 countries, including 400 in-depth interviews, highlights that fathers and mothers lack the time, resources, and support to care for their families without constant strain. Economic precarity underpins daily sacrifices, forcing parents to drain savings, cut work hours, stay in unwanted jobs, and give up study and leisure time.
More than 4 out of 5 parents report that their employer does not allow flexible working. Only 39% of fathers have been offered parenting support, and fewer than half know that such support exists. Equality in care work is increasing, but the stress on families' ability to provide care has also risen, leading to increased anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and higher alcohol consumption.
The Sacrifice Scorecard
The report's "sacrifice scorecard" reveals what parents have given up to care for loved ones:
- One in four have refinanced their homes to pay for care services.
- One in three turned down a professional advancement to provide care.
- Three-quarters have worked overtime for extra pay.
- Half have taken on a second or third job to increase income.
This crisis of care persists despite fathers' desire to be present and active in their children's daily lives. They are held back by norms and policies that have not caught up with their intentions. The good news is that fathers are ready, along with mothers, to act for, demand, and vote for better care.
Shifting Beliefs and Disconnection
While most fathers say caring for loved ones makes them happy, the data also reveals growing disconnection. Almost 4 in 10 fathers do not trust government representatives, and the same number hold conservative beliefs. Young men are retreating to more traditional, unequal gendered beliefs about care. Nearly half of all fathers believe that men who are full-time fathers are not real men, and 40% think boys should not be taught to cook, clean, sew, or take care of siblings.
Traditional beliefs impact relationships: men with such beliefs are 45% more likely to experience relationship conflict. However, partners who discuss equal care and reject traditional norms report higher care enjoyment and reduced risk to well-being.
Call to Action
Gary Barker, president and CEO of Equimundo, says: "The good news is that around the world men are doing more of the care work and finding meaning and happiness in doing so. But the data also tell us that families everywhere face enormous challenges to provide basic care. It's time for men to join women to demand and advocate for the care services we all need."
The study asks decision-makers to better welcome fathers into caregiving as equals, not helpers. This comes as decades of women's movements are under threat from restrictive notions of masculinity promoted by politicians and influencers. Equimundo is leading the MenCare Changemaker Initiative to promote system changes for caring manhood.
The State of the World's Fathers 2026 is one of the only global studies of men's involvement in parenting and care work, providing a call to action for sustainable, equitable, and transformative changes so that all children, parents, and carers can flourish.
