Dad’s the word: Dr Firuza Parikh blames stereotypes as fewer men opt for single parenthood

Single women choosing to be mothers with the help of scientific advancements is almost the new normal. Single fatherhood though, may be some way off.

On the sidelines of a recent conference, Dr Firuza Parikh, director , assisted reproduction and genetics at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre told ETPanache, “Men show equal keenness (for being parents). They may be desperate, but they may not express it.”

She feels that the stereotypes around the family building narrative may be partially held responsible for this reticence on behalf of men.


“I think what happens is men somehow feel that it is a woman’s job to raise a family. (But) men who have a good support system, who feel that even if I’m working, I’m single, I still have my mother, my aunt, who’ll help look after the baby, that is a great source of comfort. Biological need is in every human being. It is stronger as we grow older. It comes into men a little later in life,” Parikh said.