In the legal framework of Lithuania, both parents hold equal responsibility for their children’s health and well-being. However, the practical reality inside clinics and hospitals often tells a different story. For many families, the healthcare system continues to operate on a ‘mother-first’ default, where women are expected to coordinate appointments, communicate with specialists, and manage the long-term care of their children, while fathers are frequently relegated to the role of a silent observer or an occasional driver.
This systemic imbalance is now the focus of a national dialogue aimed at dismantling the barriers that prevent fathers from being fully integrated into the pediatric healthcare process. Experts argue that the current disconnect is not merely a result of personal choice or outdated social stereotypes, but is deeply embedded in the health system’s own communication models and daily operational habits.
The Persistence of the Primary Caregiver Stereotype
Despite evolving gender roles in the home, the institutional response to parenting remains remarkably static. When a child falls ill, the medical system’s machinery—from automated notifications to the way doctors address parents in the consultation room—often gravitates toward the mother. This creates a cycle where fathers feel less informed and, consequently, less confident in participating in critical medical decisions.
Specialists pointing to this issue note that the problem is particularly acute in families dealing with chronic illnesses or disabilities. In these high-pressure environments, the coordination of care becomes a full-time job. If the healthcare system fails to actively include fathers, the emotional and administrative burden falls disproportionately on mothers, leading to higher rates of burnout and family strain. Conversely, when fathers are excluded, the child loses out on the support of a fully engaged second caregiver who is equally conversant in their medical needs.
Systemic Barriers and Unconscious Bias in Clinics
The upcoming public discussion, titled “Child Health – Both Parents’ Responsibility: How Can the Health System Better Involve Fathers?”, seeks to address these practical and systemic hurdles. Organized as part of the EU-funded project “Stronger Together: Dads’ Contribution to Child Health and Disability Care,” the initiative brings together pediatricians, policy experts, and legal specialists to examine why the system defaults to gendered roles.
One of the primary areas of concern is the influence of unconscious bias. Healthcare providers may unintentionally direct questions only to the mother or assume the father is less familiar with the child’s routine. By identifying these involuntary biases, the initiative aims to foster a more inclusive communication culture where both parents are addressed as equal partners in the child’s care plan.
A National Dialogue for Structural Change
The discussion will be moderated by Andrejus Rudanovas, a partner at the non-governmental organization “European Life Science & Knowledge Institute” and an expert in life sciences law. The panel will explore the rights and duties of both parents, the nuances of communication in medical facilities, and specific strategies for involving fathers when a child has a disability.
This event is scheduled for May 14, 2026, from 15:00 to 16:30, taking place at the Mykolas Romeris University Science and Innovation Center in Vilnius. Recognizing the need for broad accessibility, the discussion will be held in person and broadcast online, allowing parents and professionals from across the country to participate.
Ultimately, the goal is to move beyond legal theory and create a healthcare environment where the term ‘parental responsibility’ is reflected in every interaction, ensuring that fathers are not just invited to the table, but are seen as an essential part of the medical team caring for their child.
Source: BNS
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