Rediscovering Paternity

In our fast-paced, consumption-driven world, it’s all too easy to lose sight of life’s deepest treasures—those fleeting, profoundly meaningful moments that shape us. Yet no moment rivals the birth of a child, and no role is more essential during this transition than that of a father. Too often, fathers find themselves chasing life’s milestones, professional targets, and rigid traditions.

I chose to step away, and simply be there.

Being there—holding your baby unconditionally in your arms, feeling tiny fingers wrap around yours, hearing gentle breaths in the quiet hours, and waking to morning smiles, meant the very essence of Purpose.

Stepping away from everything to honor this primordial event is more than a chance to breathe fresh air; it sparks an indescribable emotion that will mark you forever.

Why Paternity Is Still Stuck in the Industrial Revolution?

Paternity—the idea that fathers might take time off to care for a newborn—is still surprisingly archaic.

When I tell people I stepped away from my regular life to become a full-time dad, their reactions range from surprise to admiration to disbelief. Some say, “Lucky you,” others, “How do you manage it?” or, “Well, you can afford it!”.

The truth is, I simply did it. I jumped. 🪂

Our societies cling to assumptions born in the 1800s: men as the household’s raw horsepower (so they “can’t” take leave), rigid 9-to-5 shifts, and the idea that childcare is exclusively “women’s work” (despite countless tasks requiring strength and skill). From a broader perspective, fathers are neither educated nor incentivized to simply be there (or think of). Indeed, many countries still offer only token paternal leave—just a few days in the United States or two weeks in Italy and Switzerland—barely enough time to navigate the whirlwind of birth and bonding.

These ingrained beliefs—unquestioned and unexamined—keep us from changing course. Often, fathers feel relegated (or relegate themselves) to the sidelines instead of taking a more central role. Yet fathers undoubtedly provide vital support, cultural or societal factors should never be an excuse to leave the stage. There is this kind of belief that our partners, armed from day one with a magic touch 🪄, will handle it all.

Nurturing new life isn’t a side job; it’s a fundamental human act.

Sharing housekeeping tasks🧹, night shifts🌚, groceries 🛒, and walks are the basics; cooking for the family 🍝, changing diapers 🚼, feeding 🍼, bathing🛁, and putting the baby back to sleep 🛌 elevate us to the next level. Playing music 🎺, singing 🎶, talking 🦜, and exercising🤸with them regularly transform us into the key players many mothers and partners would dream of. 🦸

Call to action: Dear brothers and companions in fatherhood (and those about to embark) reconsider your role, claim your space on stage, invest time, and engage emotionally to witness those miraculous moments. It is worth it!

Those two bright eyes are waiting for you to be present, entertained, and loved.

Birth as a Family Symphony

In these first weeks of fatherhood, I have been constantly reflecting: What if we looked at birth not merely as “mom’s labor” but as a family symphony—a collective performance demanding orchestration, coordination, practice, and, above all, love? Each instrument—mother, father, newborn, and, where available, caregivers—harmonizes for the melody to unfold.

Nothing is perfect from the outset, but practice, perseverance, and love will smooth the path toward an incredible symphony that resonates throughout the family and beyond. This perspective transforms paternity from an afterthought into an active, empowered center-stage role.

By being emotionally and physically present, fathers become co-conductors in their child’s life, setting the tone for trust, security, and connection that will resonate for years. Sharing the effort during birth elevates the entire orchestra —and perhaps even helps lower divorce rates.

Let me clarify: I have thought about the family symphony for years. I found a partner—now my wife—who embraced the idea (and reminded me whenever I reverted to traditional modes 😊). Therefore, I was part of the team every step of the way during the entire pregnancy: watching our baby on screen, giving him his first nickname (“Spaghetto” for his slender legs), hearing his heartbeat for the first time, playing with him, and having lengthy conversations while he was still in the belly. I tried, I wanted, and I was there—present, alive, and myself. The melody was on! 🎼

Too often we treat pregnancy solely as a woman’s journey, but it should be a couple’s exercise in listening, understanding, caring, and loving—an investment in the relationship’s long-term success 🏆. These last 12 months have confirmed that women come from a different space; they are made of a different tissue. Only by experiencing it up close can one truly appreciate and honor their labor with the respect and consideration they rightfully deserve.🥇

Women carry the weight🤰; we men are there to adjust and complement what will be missing or unachievable for our partners. Like symphonic instruments, parents alternate and cooperate with the baby to create beautiful music together. 💖

A Post-Industrial Father

A few months passed, and many times I found myself the only father among mothers strolling with newborns on a Wednesday morning. I shouldn’t admit it, but I honestly felt proud of myself.

Not being in an office or a meeting during traditional working hours doesn’t mean I wasn’t working, producing, or creating value. Remodeling your life is an artistic effort 🧑‍🎨 in itself and requires will and resilience.

Thanks to remote work and flexible schedules, modular working arrangements are more achievable than ever. Fathers have a chance to step into modernity—co-parenting alongside their partners and rediscovering paternity, something long neglected. This also supports mothers in their emotional well-being and professional lives.

Meanwhile, governments and organizations must revisit traditions and practices around family life. Simple yet powerful initiatives include:

• Flexible Schedules or Modular Weeks: Enable employees to stagger hours or condense workweeks so new parents can be present during critical early weeks.
• Parental Courses: Offer corporate-sponsored training on newborn care, emotional resilience, and co-parenting strategies for both mothers and fathers.
• Joint Leave Policies: Design family-centered policies that allow parents to share leave duration and benefits equally.

These steps will spark a positive ripple effect across families, society, and the workforce. Though humans naturally resist change, reclaiming something so fundamental—part of our very being—should be a no-brainer for individuals, communities, and institutions.

Think about the value this will generate ?! 💭

Toward a New Tradition

The subject of fatherhood is not addressed enough to allow soon-to-be fathers to make a conscious, sensible decision about how they want to engage. It is such an amazing, colorful 🎨 event in life that it cannot be understated.

It fundamentally changes one’s life and deserves greater recognition and awareness. Those incredible first moments when you hold your baby (after talking, singing, and laughing to a belly for nearly nine months 🙃) are sensationally unique—unique in feeling and TIME ⏳.

They won’t last long. Guaranteed! ✅

(People used to say me! now I understand!)

It is a journey beyond the sense of exclusion and cornerization that fathers often feel. Paternity should not be a fringe benefit but a foundational right and duty of individuals.

I dream of the moment when it becomes natural for fathers to rediscover and elevate the importance of being fully present: supporting their partners, building family bonds, and laying the emotional bedrock for their children’s futures—with the support of organizations and institutions replacing industrial legacies with forward-thinking policies that put family at the center. 🎯

Let us breathe new life into the concept of paternity, empowering every father to witness, participate in, and cherish the symphony of Birth. After all, moments like these shape us—not only as parents but as human beings. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Share your paternity stories or tag organizations leading the way in the comments below!