About us
Dadly Does It is about the positive impact that fatherhood can have on the happiness and well-being of children of all ages.
Our purpose
Parents need lighthouses and harbours to navigate the rough waters of parenting. To provide these, we need to redesign the system and culture to support all parents more effectively.
“I felt alone.I felt a failure as I had no one to measure up against. I was very depressed... Everyone needs someone to turn to, to say ‘Am I doing this right?’ It’s not just women who can open up; men can be sensitive too, we just don’t get the chance.”
-Father, Little Hulton
Background
The role of dads has changed over time, through social, economic and cultural change.
The current system for children and families is based on an historical model. It unfairly burdens women and often stereotypes or does not value men.
Dads are sometimes not seen equally to mums and/or are seen as a threat or a risk.
Why positive fatherhood matters
Dads have a significant impact on their child’s development, whatever their relationship and whether or not they live in the same household. The well-being of fathers directly affects the well-being of their children, and their ability to care for them.
Dads are often an underused asset in the lives of children and young people. Most dads love their children and want the best for them.
Most professionals have little training in working with dads, tend to focus on mums, and often do not recognise, seek out or engage dads.
Principles of Dadly Does It
• Fatherhood should be seen as a positive asset.
• Fathers are very diverse.
• How new fathers see themselves as parents and adjust to the role is linked with positive outcomes in children.
• Wanting to be a good dad is often a strong motivator for men to act and make positive changes in their lives.
• In a small minority of cases, both fathers and mothers can pose significant risks to children, when risk assessment is key.