Today, father-daughter and mother-daughter relationships are no longer defined by traditional roles of authority and caregiving respectively. Over the last few decades, we have witnessed societal structures changing, and with this, the nature of these relationships has also changed. What was once a very dominating, fearful relationship has now become more dynamic, nurturing, and emotionally supportive.
Fathers were traditionally seen as the primary providers, protectors, responsible for their daughter’s safety and well-being. Picture the father in the hit movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge (DDLJ). The new-age fathers are more involved in their daughter’s personal growth - they want to be a part of her growing-up years and be the one to whom she confides about her first crush. They are leaving no stone unturned to be a friend to their daughter. What’s more is that dads who are more emotionally available contribute positively to their daughters' self-esteem, emotional regulation, and overall mental health. This change is also one that’s being reflected in today’s cinema, with films like Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl and Angrezi Medium reflecting a strong, positive bond between the father and daughter.
