The articles below highlight the importance of dads and male carers, from the outset of a child's life. Taking time out to talk to your baby will not only help you bond, but also help your baby develop her language and communication skills.
Fathers are becoming more involved in parenting than ever before according to an article in the Guardian, and are responsible for a third of all childcare in the home. The article highlighted the findings of a survey commissioned by Baby Einstein, which found that dads spend 129 minutes a day with their under threes and 75 minutes are spent entertaining them. Men's share of parenting is 32% in comparision with 19% in the 1960s.
The article also outlined the survey's findings on where men found advice and information on how to be a good father. Mothers were the most common at 61%, and few had gone to their own father or father in law - 17.7%. Television and books were listed as a more common information source than fathers at 19.5 % and 42.7% respectively.
The survey was welcomed by experts, particularly as previous research has shown the importance of fathers and their influence and long term benefits for their children. Jack O'Sullivan from Fathers Direct was quoted in the article and said: "It is a very dramatic change from the 1960s. The big difference is women going out to work and the loss of the extended family. People are now more mobile and living more distant from relatives. When fathers get involved it is good for the child - they do well at school and are less likely to get involved in crime. Girls who have a good relationship with dads have more successful long-term relationships with men. If men are properly hooked into their family it will carry them through the rest of their lives; they have a much better identity beyond the workplace than their own father had."
(Guardian, 17.08.05)
An article in the Guardian reported on the launch of the government's new parenting strategy, Every Parent Matters, and highlighted the focus on fathers. It quoted Alan Johnson, the education secretary who said that fathers should be encouraged to bond with their young children through activities such as playing music and visiting sports grounds amongst others.
Alan Johnson said: "The involvement of fathers is crucial, whether or not they live with their children. Once fathers become involved, they tend to remain involved. Fathers' involvement is associated with children's better educational outcomes, school attendance and better social and emotional outcomes."
The article noted that bonding ideas such as working on an allotment and others are already being used at some Sure Start Children's Centres. According to Every Parent Matters, services designed specifically for men and opportunities to meet other dads was appreciated by fathers.
It was also reported that many men do not feel that they are expert parents although they typically spend two hours a day with children under five. In addition the report highlighted there were groups of men that did not think traditional under five services were for them, such as those from ethnic minority backgrounds and young men who had left the family home.
(Guardian, 16.03.07)
- BBC parenting - Dads
A useful section of the BBC website focusing on information for dads written by men who are fathers.
www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/dads/
- Dad Info
A dedicated information service for dads and their families. The website is a one stop shop with articles, information and resources.
www.dad.info
- Fatherhood Institute
A national think-tank on fatherhood.
www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
- HomeDad
HomeDad is a UK support group dedicated to helping dads who are staying at home to bring up their children.
www.homedad.org.uk
80px.gif)
.gif)
