I'm sure this seems exaggerated in startups —because everything in startups is taken to the nth extreme— but this is true across the board.
All professionals, regardless of gender, with a defined career track feel compelled to "get to that next phase". To raise funding, to become a manager, to sell the company, to pass the next set of exams, to become a consultant. It's what they've been working toward for years. It's all they know. They also think it'll somehow be easier after they've reached that goal, but it just loops into the next goal.
So it's that much harder for them to step back.
The difference is society expects women to stop and look after their kids. We need to start expecting the same from fathers and that'll only happen when a few brave sausages step up and regularly take some time off in the week to keep the house upright.
Speaking as a self-employed developer with needy clients, and father, I've probably found doing this easier than most, but it's also really rewarding to influence your child's development. Money isn't everything.
Finland is also somewhat similar, though there are still surprises. For example I took my son to his 10-month checkup when I was taking my own paternity leave and the very first question I was asked when I got into the doctor's office was "Where is his mother?" sigh.
All professionals, regardless of gender, with a defined career track feel compelled to "get to that next phase". To raise funding, to become a manager, to sell the company, to pass the next set of exams, to become a consultant. It's what they've been working toward for years. It's all they know. They also think it'll somehow be easier after they've reached that goal, but it just loops into the next goal.
So it's that much harder for them to step back.
The difference is society expects women to stop and look after their kids. We need to start expecting the same from fathers and that'll only happen when a few brave sausages step up and regularly take some time off in the week to keep the house upright.
Speaking as a self-employed developer with needy clients, and father, I've probably found doing this easier than most, but it's also really rewarding to influence your child's development. Money isn't everything.