|
Over three-quarters of people surveyed
believe children can benefit from older dads’ greater maturity, wisdom and
experience. And 54 per cent also think advancing years brings with it
greater patience in fatherhood. Two-thirds (67 per cent) said that older
fathers have more time to devote to their offspring.
The financial benefits of having ‘twilight
tots’ is also seen as a being an upside, with the likelihood that post-50
dads will have more money and be able to provide more materially for their
brood.
Not all good news,
though
Despite the support for
‘fathers at fifty’, just over a quarter of Brits still think that it is
somewhat odd or unnatural, and possibly selfish. Many cite early bereavement
for the children – with the expectation that the dads won’t be around for as
long. Many felt that flagging energy levels may leave some dads over fifty
unable to keep up with their kids. And over a third (64 per cent) thought
older dads would be less ‘in tune’ with their offspring’s trends. A cynical
49 per cent thought the ‘twilight tots’ may be taunted by playground
teasing.
Naturally, Lloyds TSB hopes that older dads
will be investing their money appropriately. If they have it to invest.
Dads who have been around for half a century or more are likely to have
acquired children earlier in life, not to mention an ex wife or two. Now
there’s a drain on finances.
|
