Fatherhood – Dr. Amol Lunkad

What does fatherhood mean to me? 

Fatherhood often brings a sense of purpose and responsibility. It creates a natural desire to protect, provide for, and nurture a child, while also giving fathers a great pride in seeing a part of themselves continue into the next generation. It often opens up a fuller understanding of love, vulnerability, and sacrifice, and changes the meaning of success from personal achievement to a child’s well-being and future. 

The emotional journey of becoming a father is often complex, though less spoken about than a mother’s. Before birth, it is a mix of excitement and anticipation, along with anxiety about finances, parenting skills, and the future. At the same time, the reality of pregnancy often feels gradual, becoming real only after scans, fetal movements, or birth itself. Around the time of birth, those emotions give way to joy, awe, relief, overwhelm, uncertainty, and a strong protective instinct.