Charity pilots fathers programme in children's centres

David Loyd-Hearn - 21 July 2009

I know, ironic, especially as our school does have some single fathers, and some very active fathers as primary care givers. It is funny that in some ways we have taken political correctness too far, and yet equality has much room for improvement. But I am used to it. When I was a young social worker, I was eyed with suspicion for being young, straight, and male \(a real rarity in my department). I left within a year, and now that I work in a strategic capacity, nobody thinks twice about me being a 30 something straight male. Sad really.

Charlotte Goddard - 21 July 2009

 David, I can't believe that discrimination in the schools forms - what about single dads, if nothing else?!

I recently had someone filling in a form for me and having mentioned my husband and already given my name she said "ooh, you're obviously a Mrs, Mrs Goddard" - I'm not, since I have kept my maiden name, but the concept of Ms, or having a different surname to your husband (and child), seems to be taking a while to filter through too.

David Loyd-Hearn - 21 July 2009

What is interesting is that as a part of our schools admission process, the form had Miss, Mrs, Ms as the acceptable titles for the 1st emergency contact party, with Mr being available for the second. It is ironic, that if it were the other way around, it could be viewed as gender discrimination.

And our Children's Centre is inclusive offering a Saturdads once a month, but having attended a few midweek sessions with my youngest, they felt very female orientated.

Any move forward to further father participation is a move forward for equal rights. Sadly my wife gets to be the full time domestic goddess as I went all the way in my education and therefore offer better financial stability for my children. But I regret all the time we could have had together if society were truly equal in opportunities. Heck, even with paternity leave, we could not aford to take advantage of it because of the low rates.

Not all fathers want to run away to work or the pub, many of us would love to be raising the children, but financial committments ensure that is a challenge, and when wanting to bond and share thoughts with other fathers, there is very little on offer