Fathers and Grief

Most men find that they grieve differently from women. Sometimes, men aren’t even given a chance to grieve at all because they are expected to “be strong” and to take care of everyone else. Other men may feel they didn’t have the same connection that the moms did and therefore find it difficult to understand what she is feeling. It can be frustrating when there is nothing you can do to “fix” the sadness or to make yourself or anyone else feel better. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to grieve. The important thing is that you acknowledge your feelings, whatever they are, and that you have an opportunity to express and share those feelings.

A lot of dads tell us that people ask how their wives are doing but rarely ask about them. Dads have feelings, too, and we created this section to recognize them. We welcome any contributions written by dads, granddads, uncles, and brothers!

      Helpful websites:  

www.mend.org/newsletters/vol3iss1.htm

www.webhealing.com

www.menweb.org/mengrief.htm

www.griefworksbc.com/CulturalExpectations.asp

www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Duffy1.html

www.groww.com

www.tcfcanada.net/articles/father/men.htm

www.storknet.com/columns/fathersjournal/fath12.htm

fathers and pregnancy after loss: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pressparliament/pressreleasearchive/pr761.aspx