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Dads aren't duds. They deserve a better deal Dads aren't duds. They deserve a better deal
(4 months later)
Today, as millions of dads enthusiastically unwrap socks, chocolates, books, ties and booze, celebrating Father's Day, marvelling at the ingenuity of their newly born babies and children for choosing exactly the right gift, some may also be grateful for a little respite from the paternal pasting that has dominated the media for several days.Today, as millions of dads enthusiastically unwrap socks, chocolates, books, ties and booze, celebrating Father's Day, marvelling at the ingenuity of their newly born babies and children for choosing exactly the right gift, some may also be grateful for a little respite from the paternal pasting that has dominated the media for several days.
A paper from the right-of-centre thinktank the Centre for Social Justice reported that a million children were growing up without fathers (although that is not necessarily synonymous with growing up without any positive adult males in a child's life). Research indicates that this may have an impact on a young person's prospects, not least because it often also involves poverty.A paper from the right-of-centre thinktank the Centre for Social Justice reported that a million children were growing up without fathers (although that is not necessarily synonymous with growing up without any positive adult males in a child's life). Research indicates that this may have an impact on a young person's prospects, not least because it often also involves poverty.
Last week, a man was charged with spraying the word "Help" on a portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey, apparently following a dispute over access to his children. And the parenting website Netmums conducted a survey in which nine out of 10 respondents said that negative stereotypes of fathers on television and in books and magazines ridiculed dads as hapless and inadequate.Last week, a man was charged with spraying the word "Help" on a portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey, apparently following a dispute over access to his children. And the parenting website Netmums conducted a survey in which nine out of 10 respondents said that negative stereotypes of fathers on television and in books and magazines ridiculed dads as hapless and inadequate.
Whether it's Homer Simpson, Peppa Pig or the Channel 4 series Shameless, Dad is too often portrayed as a dud. Fathers face a conundrum. If they are present, they are traditionally portrayed as malevolent. If they are absent, they are feckless. At best, when they are putting bread on the table, they are distant. And if they do try to leave the office in time to fetch and carry children, male colleagues are inclined to view them as wimps.Whether it's Homer Simpson, Peppa Pig or the Channel 4 series Shameless, Dad is too often portrayed as a dud. Fathers face a conundrum. If they are present, they are traditionally portrayed as malevolent. If they are absent, they are feckless. At best, when they are putting bread on the table, they are distant. And if they do try to leave the office in time to fetch and carry children, male colleagues are inclined to view them as wimps.
Yet, as work by Adrienne Burgess and others has eloquently revealed, through the ages many fathers have cared – and passionately. "Hush thee, my babby/ Lie still with thy daddy/ Thy mammy has gone to the mill," runs a song for the nursery published in 1805.Yet, as work by Adrienne Burgess and others has eloquently revealed, through the ages many fathers have cared – and passionately. "Hush thee, my babby/ Lie still with thy daddy/ Thy mammy has gone to the mill," runs a song for the nursery published in 1805.
Today, Labour MP David Lammy has published a report, Doing Family: Encouraging Active Fatherhood, in which he rightly calls for a number of changes including improved paternal and parental rights and manageable paid working hours.Today, Labour MP David Lammy has published a report, Doing Family: Encouraging Active Fatherhood, in which he rightly calls for a number of changes including improved paternal and parental rights and manageable paid working hours.
Today's dad spends two hours with his offspring, compared with only 15 minutes three decades ago. The majority of fathers want to spend more time with the family while research tells us the most stressed men are those who work full time and regret not having sufficient hours to "father". Men too are now ensnared by the myth of "having it all".Today's dad spends two hours with his offspring, compared with only 15 minutes three decades ago. The majority of fathers want to spend more time with the family while research tells us the most stressed men are those who work full time and regret not having sufficient hours to "father". Men too are now ensnared by the myth of "having it all".
However, there are genuine reasons for optimism that modern fatherhood is in much better shape than pessimists claim. For some men, the pressure to be the main breadwinner, for positive and negative reasons (such as unemployment), is easing. Women are better educated; more are in paid employment and a growing number are earning more than the man in the family. The number of full-time dads who are the sole carers of their children is growing. In the US, social change is having an impact on advertising. Dads are wielding influence with advertisers to challenge their portrayal of men as blundering, amateur baby handlers. Instead, they are rightly and effectively demanding equal rights, for instance, in nappy expertise.However, there are genuine reasons for optimism that modern fatherhood is in much better shape than pessimists claim. For some men, the pressure to be the main breadwinner, for positive and negative reasons (such as unemployment), is easing. Women are better educated; more are in paid employment and a growing number are earning more than the man in the family. The number of full-time dads who are the sole carers of their children is growing. In the US, social change is having an impact on advertising. Dads are wielding influence with advertisers to challenge their portrayal of men as blundering, amateur baby handlers. Instead, they are rightly and effectively demanding equal rights, for instance, in nappy expertise.
Society adapts when lazy stereotypes are challenged; traditional expectations are jettisoned and consumer interests respond to different economic patterns. Today, women provide, men parent isn't a threat. It's a welcome signal that roles may be interchangeable and both parents are vital to a child's wellbeing. So, here's to a very happy Father's Day!Society adapts when lazy stereotypes are challenged; traditional expectations are jettisoned and consumer interests respond to different economic patterns. Today, women provide, men parent isn't a threat. It's a welcome signal that roles may be interchangeable and both parents are vital to a child's wellbeing. So, here's to a very happy Father's Day!
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