The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is calling on the government to let parents decide for themselves who looks after their children. This is backed by research launched in October 2005, which the EOC says uncovers a social revolution in attitudes towards fatherhood with the majority of new mothers no longer considering care to be a 'mum's' job.
Over three quarters of the mums surveyed felt that their
partner is as confident as they are at caring. This backs
earlier EOC research findings which showed that almost nine
in ten new dads feel as confident as their partners at caring.
The EOS believes the government should let parents decide
for themselves who looks after their children by introducing
'shared parental leave'.
Over three in five new mums (62%) reject the idea that
a dad's main role is being that of a breadwinner, yet according
to the EOC current leave arrangements reinforce this old
stereotype by preventing fathers from spending time with
their children. New fathers currently receive just two weeks
statutory leave, compared with 52 weeks for mothers, giving
the UK the most unequal parenting arrangements in Europe.
Nearly eight in ten new mothers support the option of transferring
some of their maternity leave to their partner, over eight
in ten dads back this policy.
Dads and their babies; the mother's
perspective was carried out by GFK NOP Social Research
with 920 mothers of babies aged between four months and
16 months. For more information visit
www.eoc.org.uk
(Equal Opportunities Commission, 10.10.05)
This report from the Fatherhood Institute is a review of research literature on the father's role. The review is summarised under the headings -
Trends in father involvement,
Why involve expectant/new fathers,
Information and support for fathers and
Fathers' impact on their children.
Language and attachment is directly referred to in the final chapter about fathers' impact on their children. For more information and to download the report visit
www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
A report from the Fatherhood Institute that highlights the benefits for a child and parents when fathers have positive and active involvement from birth. It is based on research
Maternal and Infant Health in the Perinatal Period: The Father's Role and calls for 12 key changes to involve dads more fully.
Download the report at
www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
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