While COVID-19 restrictions over the last three months have not been ideal, they have provided a great opportunity for parents to bond with their children.

Today is Father’s Day.

Wayne Hartrick is President of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, he says that their new study shows many fathers have become closer with their children during the pandemic.

According to Hartrick, 60 per cent of fathers said they feel closer to their kids since the pandemic began, 39 per cent said the pandemic has had a positive impact on their role as a father and 48 per cent said they were now more aware of their role within the family. Fifty per cent of fathers said they want these trends to continue.

Of those who said the pandemic has not had an effect on them as a father, they contend that they were already doing many of the things they were asked about.

Hartrick is hopeful the pandemic can have a positive impact on fathers. He says the role of the father is changing and many dads are much more involved these days. He thinks the pandemic will accelerate that change.