A new study out of Victoria's Deakin University has coined a new term describing a newly-emerging parenting dynamic.

The study explains that while fathers are becoming increasingly engaged in family life, many are taking on a backseat role and leaving mothers to carry the majority of parenting duties.

'Passenger parenting' was coined by public health lecturer Norma Barrett and she says it's a tricky dynamic to navigate.

"It's really tricky for fathers, I think, because in those early stages their first kind of feeling of being a parent can often be after the birth, whereas mothers biologically feel like they're already on the parenting journey...and trying to slot into the journey can be tricky."

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