Peter Rega maneuvers through South Florida traffic like a man on a mission. It’s nearing 5 p.m. and Rega, a divorced father, has wrapped up his sales calls and is on his way to pick his son up from after-school care. Cellphone to ear, Riga tells his customer he will call back in an hour, once he successfully shuttles his 12-year-old son, Peter, home for dinner and then to karate lessons.
“I’m a top salesman,” Rega says. “For me, my phone rings 24/7. I have to train my customers that there are certain hours I’m not available.”
Just in time for Father’s Day, a new report shows dads, much like Rega, are dramatically feeling the pull between work and family. Indeed, men reported their levels of work-life conflict have risen significantly over the past three decades, while the level of conflict reported by women has not changed much.
The recession only has added to the pull: Fathers are worried about finances and feeling intense pressure to perform at work. At the same time, expectations are higher than ever at home to be full partners in child rearing.
Full story: The new dad is more than just a breadwinner – Miami Herald