Dads ‘equal’ in parenting say mums
14 Jan 2008
Seven out of 10 mums believe that dads are their equals in parenting skills, but that society’s perception of the father’s role was as ‘secondary’ to the mother’s according to a survey of 1000 people by the Fatherhood Institute.
The poll found that 67% women and 72% men think that society values a child’s relationship with its mother more than with its father. However both men and women believe that increased involvement of dads can have a positive effect on behavioural problems, self-esteem and school work.
Think tank the Fatherhood Institute is campaigning for more positive involvement of fathers by family professionals including teachers and midwives, suggesting dads should be encouraged to read with their children at primary school and allowed to stay overnight during hospital births.
With research suggesting that inflexible working hours mean fathers spend a month less with their children than mothers every year the Institute is also lobbying for a review of parental leave rules. Sixty-six percent of fathers surveyed said they regretted not having more time to spend with their children.
Duncan Fisher, Director of the Fatherhood Institute said: “It’s clear that parental leave and services do not meet the need of the modern family. Government and policy makers need to catch up with reality because involving dads has a huge impact on a child’s wellbeing and life chances.”
