I have written to Frank Field in response to his speech about fathers and child poverty. I have copied it to Iain Duncan-Smith and Nick Clegg.
In summary:
Child poverty is a family function, not just an issue between a child and a “primary carer”. The ability of adults in the family to earn and to care and to cooperate with each other all have a critical influence on the child.
In the UK, all supports to family assume that a child in poverty has only one parent even in the case where two parents are sharing things 50/50. In Australia a child can have two single parents, both supported in their contribution to the child’s life.
There are strong aspirations in families to build on – for fathers to be close to their children, for mothers to continue a role outside the home, for parents to live cooperatively.
Motherhood still remains the barrier to gender equality…..The only thing that can level the playing field at work is a level playing field at home. And that requires a major shift in public policy and corporate culture.
Jon Davies is leaving Families Need Fathers. He writes:
After almost four years taking FNF from a little known and often misunderstood charity to something approaching respectability it is time to move! I have been planning this for some time but my Damascene moment came when I saw three and a half out of four of our policy demands in the coalition programme. ‘Leave while they’re still applauding’ as some now long forgotten music hall comedian once said.
“It is time for a new conversation around fatherhood in this country.”
I feel I am watching history in the making – the most powerful man in the world talking about his own struggles as a father, speaking for all fathers. And he recognises our “days of worry and struggle” and our “scrimping and saving and working the extra shift” for our children.
Thank you, Mr. President. It really does inspire and help.
“Dads who don a pinny and muck in with the housework are less likely to get divorced than those who leave it to the missus.” That’s the story in the Mirror today, also in Times, Telegraph, Independent.
This research at the London School of Economics confirms the same findings in USA and Scandinavia.
The other day The Independent published an article on marriage, A taxing problem for single-issue campaigners. Sarah Cassidy set up a “mums’ panel” from Mumsnet to consider the issues and interviewed a number of women (and only women). The only men she referred to were the political leaders (all men, obviously). Babies are . . . → Read More: Marriage is a women’s issue (according to the UK media)
Clare has been reading Sir Charles Grandison, written by Samuel Richardson in 1753, a book that Jane Austen read. (The edition is so old, Clare is cutting the pages as she proceeds through its vast length.) Last night she read me this passage. Lady G, Sir Charles’ sister, recounts . . . → Read More: Fathers and breastfeeding (in 1753)
My book is printed! I have put it on Amazon, though the media launch is in early June. I have not just tried to produce something that it interesting to read, but is also a pleasure to hold and leaf through. Lots of colour, pictures and quotations.
I have written to Frank Field in response to his speech about fathers and child poverty. I have copied it to Iain Duncan-Smith and Nick Clegg.
