Making “Dad” A Job Title: Why Fatherhood Belongs On LinkedIn

What if being a dad carried the same weight on your résumé as your latest promotion? As part of Dove Men+Care’s latest Father’s Day campaign, dads across Canada are proudly adding “Dad” to their LinkedIn profiles—sparking a national conversation about caregiving, identity, and modern masculinity.

In this Q&A, we speak with Dr. Andrew Howlett, Child and Family Psychiatrist and co-founder of the Fathers’ Mental Health Network, about the mental health benefits of active fatherhood, why visibility matters in shifting workplace culture, and how this simple online update is reshaping the narrative around what it means to be a successful man. —Noa Nichol

What inspired your involvement in Dove Men+Care’s campaign encouraging dads to list “Dad” as a job title on LinkedIn?

As both a psychiatrist and a father, I understand how invisible the day-to-day realities of parenting can feel. I decided to partner with Dove Men+Care because the call to action of the campaign offers something simple but transformative; it calls on fathers to assign the role of ‘Dad’ the same importance they give their titles at work. And more than that, it gives dads public permission to show and be proud of parenting, and to treat it as an achievement, not an afterthought. That visibility is more than symbolic—it’s a cultural shift with measurable impact on men’s mental health. When men see fatherhood as a vital part of who they are, it positively shapes their mental health and emotional well-being. By valuing and supporting active fatherhood, we help dads feel recognized and empowered, building resilient families and healthier communities.

From a psychiatrist’s perspective, what are some of the biggest mental health benefits that come with recognizing and embracing active fatherhood?

The mental health benefits of recognizing and embracing active fatherhood are significant for the whole family. For men, active fatherhood strengthens their sense of self and helps to fulfill their values of providing, protecting and supporting their family. By being present, curious and participating in their child’s life, active fathers establish a solid connection with their kids and feel like a co-captain with their partner. This enables effective communication, builds strong attachments, and helps to set a family up for success.

In my clinical work, fathers are motivated to address the barriers that may be getting in the way of being an active father. I recognize how difficult the transition to parenthood can be and how isolating this stage of life may seem. When dads suffer with conditions such as anxiety or depression, early treatment can be quite effective. Research also shows that hands-on, father-focused interventions during the perinatal period, such as infant care education or guided bonding techniques, can have a positive impact on fathers’ well-being. A 2020 systematic review I co-authored found that several of these supportive interventions led to small but statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms in new fathers.

As a psychiatrist I can help dads part of the way; however, it is when we collectively recognize and embrace the importance of active fatherhood in family and social settings that the father’s sense of self can be fully restored, and the benefits of active fatherhood are fully achieved. 

Why do you think men have historically struggled to talk openly about caregiving and emotional labour—especially in professional spaces?

I think there are many reasons why men have struggled to talk about the caregiving and emotional labour aspect of parenting. This is sometimes referred to as “invisible labour” because it wasn’t talked about or fully appreciated, and historically, men have relied on their partners to fulfill these important roles.

As more and more fathers of this generation become aware of all the different aspects of providing and caring for their children, they are also figuring out how to talk about these aspects and what matters to them. Most men would not have had these discussions modeled for them by their own parents and therefore are navigating new territory in trying to talk about their ideas, preferences, concerns and emotions as it relates to raising their kids. These conversations while essential, can be uncomfortable and thus, easily avoided.

Another reason why this has been a struggle is that we haven’t given men the tools and opportunities to talk openly about their evolving roles as direct caregivers. One area where I think we could make a profound difference is in the workplace, where ideally the culture is also curious and supportive of their employees’ role and success as fathers. Many fathers are constantly juggling family demands on the one hand and work demands on the other. This can be a tough balancing act, and result in a buildup of stress, a fear of disappointing others and erode a dad’s confidence. I’ve realized that even if demands and expectations can’t change, at least talking about the weight and impact of all this work can be helpful. Campaigns such as this one, help lift dads up and highlight that active fatherhood is good for both the family and the workplace. The more we can normalize talking about father’s roles and support active fatherhood the more confident and competent dads will be in both settings.

How can small actions, like updating a LinkedIn profile with “Dad,” shift public perceptions around masculinity and success?

Small gestures can challenge big assumptions. By making “Dad” a job title on LinkedIn, Dove Men+Care is helping redefine what success means, putting care, presence, and emotional connection at the heart of what it means to be a man. This simple update helps signal a broader, healthier view of masculinity, one that includes emotional expression, presence, and interdependence. The last decade has proven how pivotal social media platforms are in shaping cultural norms, and Dove Men+Care is tapping into that influence to make fatherhood visible and valued in professional spaces.

What are some of the most common challenges new or active dads come to you with, and how can society better support them?

I hear a lot about fear: fear of not being enough, not knowing what to do, or failing the people we love. Many dads also talk about guilt; for working too much, for not bonding quickly enough, or for not matching some ideal. We can support dads by offering them the same visibility, flexibility, and understanding that’s been long overdue in caregiving conversations. That means parental leave policies that work, media that reflects diverse fatherhood, and mental health resources that are accessible and stigma-free.

Do you see generational differences in how fatherhood is being approached or valued by today’s dads?

Absolutely. While I think that men continue to share the same values, dads in this generation are writing a new script on how we fulfill the values of providing, protecting and preparing our children for success. Today’s dads are more likely to share caregiving  responsibilities and seek emotional connection with their kids. They’re also more open to learning from their partners, their children, and their communities. Today’s dads are also realizing that asking for help is a sign of courage and strength. Reinforcing these changes is where public campaigns and cultural signals can help—by making care visible and normalizing emotional expression and connections. By offering visibility, permission, and community, campaigns like this help support dads put their values into action and invite them to seek information and help when needed.

Elon Musk has famously called empathy a threat to civilization. What’s your response to that in the context of fatherhood and caregiving?

Our understanding and capacity for human empathy has evolved over time and is a cognitive developmental process that perhaps develops more in some than in others. Empathy occurs within a relationship and is the experience of feeling understood by another person. This is a powerful feeling of connection and results in a deeper relationship. When it comes to fatherhood and caregiving, our ability to empathize with our child is determined by how we listen and respond to them and their feelings. If they feel that we get them and genuinely understand how they are feeling then this will result in our child feeling calmer, connected and curious about what it is we want them to hear or learn from us. Some children might only feel understood when we give them what they want; however, their capacity for empathy will grow with their development over time and eventually they can hear “No” and feel that we understand why they wish we had said “Yes.” 

The same is true for our support of fathers. When Dads feel heard and understood in clinical or social settings, they too experience connection and an openness to hearing and understanding the perspective of others.

How can workplaces help normalize and champion caregiving roles for men in addition to women?

It starts with culture. Workplaces need to create space, both literally and figuratively, for caregiving to be part of professional identity. That includes equal parental leave, yes, but also softer signals: leaders who talk about their kids in meetings, policies that support flexibility without penalty, and spaces for dads to connect with one another.  When care is valued at work, men are more likely to show up fully—at home and in the office. Dove Men+Care is helping model what that shift can look like by placing fatherhood in professional spaces like LinkedIn.

What role do campaigns like this one play in addressing long-term mental health resilience—not just for dads, but for families as a whole?

Campaigns like this remind us that fatherhood is central, and that visibility alone can be deeply validating. When dads are emotionally engaged, kids develop better social and emotional skills. Partners feel more supported. And the fathers themselves gain a stronger sense of identity and purpose. That is how you build resilience, not just for individuals, but for entire family systems.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new dad who feels overwhelmed or unsupported, what would it be?

Start by being kind to yourself. This is hard. You’re not failing, you’re growing. Talk to someone, even if it is just a friend or another parent who gets it. Do not underestimate how powerful it can be to share your fears aloud. And remember: the very act of showing up matters more than getting everything right. Your child does not need a perfect dad. They need a present one.