Family Man

Using self-portraiture as a medium of self-investigation, Family Man constructs detailed photographic tableaus that explore thoughts and emotions relating to my own impending fatherhood. Deliberately created to be open to interpretation, the images invite you to think more critically about the archaic yet prevalent tropes of fatherhood that pervade today’s culture of toxic masculinity. And also to consider what can be done to de-stigmatise the topic of men's mental health in a society where suicide remains the most common cause of death of men aged under 50.

Entrenched gender expectations and societal pressures can make new fathers feel they should “man up” and “provide”. As a result, their mental health issues are often suppressed during the perinatal period (the period shortly before and after the birth). Exacerbating the issue further, those who do overcome societal confines to seek help are often failed by a healthcare system almost exclusively focused on maternal mental health. 

Today, 88% of millennial dads feel it's at least somewhat important to be “the perfect dad”. But what exactly is the perfect dad? And who should get to decide?

Exploring thoughts and emotions relating to my own impending fatherhood, Family Man invites you to think more critically about the archaic yet prevalent tropes of fatherhood that pervade today’s culture of toxic masculinity. And also, to consider what can be done to de-stigmatise the topic of men's mental health in a society where suicide remains the most common cause of death of men aged under 50.

Photographic self-portraiture is developed as a medium of self-investigation, exploring the personal affects that entrenched gender expectations and societal pressures can have on new fathers, making them feel they should “man up” and “provide”.

Today, 88% of millennial dads feel it's at least somewhat important to be “the perfect dad”.

But what exactly is the perfect dad? And who should get to decide?