Duncan Fisher

Two politicians, Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats and Andrew Lansley of the Conservatives have commented that the recession might result in some fathers having more time for their children.  Both have been roundly condemned for their comments. I was struck by an interesting comment piece in The Guardian in response to the controversy, by Jeremy Adam Smith, Jobless, but working, where it is pointed out that increased debate about fatherhood in times of recession is a repeating phenomenon.

The headline story of today’s Independent is Jobless executives to get special help.  Assisting people out of a job and unused to looking for a new one is an intelligent response.  How about a similar response to the many men who will find themselves in a new and unfamiliar parenting role, and to couples whose worlds will be turned upside down as their share of work and caring changes uncontrollably and in a way that challenges their deepest senses of identity?  Agony Aunts and Relate are reporting significant increases in calls for help from families in conflict and also a reduction in the resources to help these families.

Fatherhood family, Fatherhood, parental relationships, work