Understanding Fatherhood in the 21st Century

Despite growing expectations and willingness for men to share fully in all areas of their child’s development several obstacles to fuller involvement remain.  Existing rights and practices in relation to parental leave mean that couples choosing to relax or reverse traditional roles are heavily penalised financially.  Also certain established practices in maternity and social care are still predominantly focused on a woman-centred approach.

Launching the paper Dr Maria Lohan said:  “What it means to be a father in today’s society has changed immensely from even 50 years ago. Much of this change has come from fathers themselves in terms of recognising the greater contribution they can make in the daily care of children. But some of this change has arisen because of changing public policy. This research briefing paper points to the research evidence to support fatherhood involvement as well as identifying how public policy can encourage greater change and improved health and well-being outcomes for fathers and children.”

Speaking at the launch of the paper, Liam Hannaway, Vice Chair of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership said: “We in the Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership are working to make sure that parents, including fathers, get the support they need to ensure that their children grow up happy and healthy, so we really welcome this report.”

The paper makes a series of recommendations required in public policy and practice in order to facilitate the changing role of fathers today namely:

• Better promotion of fathers’ entitlements to paternity and parental leave.
• The need for further research on the uptake of and satisfaction with paternity leave.
• The need for time-use surveys to provide accurate information on how today’s families function.
• A change in the law to make joint birth registration a legal requirement.
• Greater engagement with fathers across the full range of maternity and early years services including health, education and social care.
• The assessment of parental needs for incarcerated men and their children.
• The need for research into how to develop the role of grandfathers.
• The further development and implementation of relationship and sex education for boys.

The briefing paper was prepared for the Man Matters project and Diarmuid Moore, Assistant Director of the WEA said:

“The Man Matters project is very pleased to launch our second briefing paper, this time focusing on fathers. The project is a holistic approach to the lives of men and fathering is a crucial aspect that is sometimes undervalued. This paper sets out the facts and context for fathering in Northern Ireland and therefore greatly increases our understanding. More importantly the paper makes several recommendations that we would like the Executive to consider as these will help improve how we support and recognise fathers in the future.”

If the unique relationship between a child and a father can be helped grow through the years there are few goals, either personal or public, that can be so rewarding for each individual.  Making it easier for fathers to be involved, in every way, with their children is a broad and practical goal that could enrich the lives of fathers, mothers, daughters and sons.