daddiction

Daddiction is a term used in informal discourse to describe an excessive or compulsive preoccupation with fatherhood, father figures, or paternal approval. It is not a formal medical or psychiatric diagnosis, and it is not recognized in major classification systems like the DSM-5 or ICD-11. The term has circulated in parenting forums, satire, and social media to capture the ways some people orient their identity or self-worth around paternal roles or the approbation of male parental figures.

In practice, daddiction may involve spending disproportionate time consuming or producing content about fatherhood, overemphasizing traditional masculine norms, or continually seeking validation from a paternal mentor or from one's own children as a source of self-esteem. It can appear as compulsive engagement with parenting communities, relentless comparisons with idealized father archetypes, or neglect of other relationships and responsibilities in favor of paternal pursuits.

Daddiction is considered a behavioral pattern rather than a clinical substance-related disorder. It may reflect underlying needs for approval, identity formation during parenting, or social pressures around masculinity. It differs from parental burnout or clinical addiction in that it centers on attachment and social validation rather than the absence of control over a behavior or use of substances.

Potential impacts include strained relationships, reduced well-being, and impaired functioning. Management approaches mirror those for other behavioral patterns: setting boundaries around digital engagement, reflective practice, and, if needed, professional help such as psychotherapy or counseling focused on identity, family dynamics, and healthy masculinity norms.