The Dad Shift
How Modern Fatherhood is Redefining Work, Family and Identity
Fatherhood isn’t what it used to be - and that’s a good thing.
Gone are the days when “dad” meant breadwinner, disciplinarian or weekend chauffeur. Today’s dads are showing up in new, powerful ways - as nurturers, caregivers, emotional anchors and equal partners at home. This quiet revolution - The Dad Shift - is reshaping not just family life, but workplaces, wellbeing and what it means to live with purpose.
At Moco Coaching, we see this transformation up close: men rethinking success, balance and identity as they step into fatherhood in a new era.
A Generational Shift in Fatherhood
Over the past 40 years, expectations of dads have changed dramatically.
In the 1980s, just 1 in 20 UK fathers took any form of parental leave (ONS). Today, more than a third of new dads are choosing to take time off after birth - and shared parental leave has opened the door to genuine co-parenting.
Recent research from The Fatherhood Institute found that over 80% of UK dads say they want to spend more time with their children and many actively seek flexible or hybrid work to make that possible.
The modern dad isn’t “helping out” - he’s parenting.
And yet, despite this progress, old pressures remain. Many fathers still feel torn between the demands of work, financial responsibility and emotional availability. That inner tension - between provider and presence - is one of the defining challenges of the modern dad.
The Workplace Catch-Up
While families have evolved, many workplaces are still catching up.
According to Working Families UK (2024), almost half of fathers feel uncomfortable asking for flexible working and 1 in 5 worry it could harm their career progression.
But the tide is turning. Forward-thinking companies are recognising that supporting fathers benefits everyone.
When dads are encouraged to engage more at home:
Children thrive.
Mothers experience less burnout.
Teams see happier, more balanced employees.
This isn’t just a cultural shift - it’s a wellbeing strategy.
At Moco Coaching, we work with individuals and organisations to bridge that gap: helping dads lead with presence, confidence and self-compassion - and helping employers create cultures that honour both ambition and family.
The Emotional Evolution of Fatherhood
Perhaps the most powerful change in “The Dad Shift” isn’t logistical - it’s emotional.
Men are speaking more openly about the realities of fatherhood - from mental health struggles to identity shifts to the deep vulnerability that comes with raising children in uncertain times.
Postnatal depression in fathers is now recognised by the NHS and campaigns like Movember and DadPad UK are helping normalise emotional honesty. This isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom.
As one father shared in a Moco Coaching session:
“Being a dad cracked me open. I thought it would make me stronger - and it did - but not in the way I expected. It made me softer, more patient, more real.”
That’s the heart of the Dad Shift - redefining strength as presence, empathy and balance.
Coaching Through the Dad Shift
Fatherhood is one of the biggest transitions in life.
It can awaken joy, fear, exhaustion, purpose - often all at once. Coaching offers a space for dads to process those layers, reconnect with themselves and design lives that align with their values, not outdated expectations.
At Moco Coaching, we focus on:
Identity Work: Who are you beyond the role of “dad” or “provider”?
Boundaries: How can you protect time for both family and self-care?
Purpose: What kind of legacy do you want to model for your children?
Because being a good father isn’t about doing it all. It’s about being fully there for the moments that matter.
The Future of Fatherhood
The Dad Shift is here - and it’s just beginning.
As more fathers embrace emotional openness, shared caregiving and balance, the ripple effect is profound. Families feel it. Workplaces evolve because of it. Society heals through it.
So here’s to the new generation of dads - the ones showing that love and leadership can look soft, strong and human all at once.
At Moco Coaching, we’re proud to support that change - helping fathers navigate the messy, meaningful journey of showing up with heart.
Because when dads grow, families thrive.