Encouraging Fatherly Nurturing in Families Matters

With sustained and increasing numbers of women in the labour force, the equal division of family responsibilities is more important than ever. A growing number of men are getting an unabashed opportunity to be hands on with their infant children. More men than before can put down the mantle and pressure of being the strong, tough “man” - and the only and highest earners. At least this is true for the brave male front-runners.

This trend is not only apparent in the usual suspect countries like Sweden but in many other upper income countries around the globe. So say the authors of the Fatherhood Report 2010-11 out of the U.K. Of the 21 countries studied, Australia ranked in the lower end at 17. But hang on, Australia is about to experience a social push on this count via the Federal Government’s 18 week Paid Parental Leave Scheme that comes into effect in 2011.

While this is a good start, Dr. Fletcher from the University of Newcastle says, “If they do the index again next year we will still be pretty low.” He noted that Australia’s scheme is average by world standards. Social change takes time as is evidenced by the US experience where the struggle lingers well after President Clinton enacted similar legislation. Mindy Fried, Arbor Consulting Partners, says that her book, Taking Time: Parental Leave and Corporate Culture (Temple University Press, 1998), is “…sadly as relevant today as it was twelve years ago!”

Aside from the time it takes for social change, how Australia’s Scheme gets implemented may be a barrier to achieving meaningful results over time. Despite the actual leave being paid by the government, employers will have a role in approvals and in the application process. In addition to employee replacement costs, employers will need to make related administrative adjustments - costing money and time.

Nevertheless, the continued trend in gender equality augurs well for families in these countries. The Fatherhood Institute says that: “We know... that parents who avoid a stark division between breadwinner and career, and who each contribute substantially to both roles, are happier and more likely to stay together for longer." They go on to say that younger men and women embrace this shared way of life more so than their parents. This is evidence of social change taking a foothold outside of the corporate structure.

What difference does shared parenting make? Documented outcomes include: fewer behaviour problems, lower criminality and substance abuse, higher educational / occupational mobility relative to parents' employment, capacity for empathy, better peer relationships and higher self-esteem and life-satisfaction. These outcomes benefit not only families, communities and societies generally - but can add dividends to the corporate bottom line.

Despite the barriers and the slow pace of change, the fact is - rigid gender roles are shifting. Imagine it - one day more Australian fathers will actually be accepted as legitimate, nurturing parents; and, one day more Australian mothers will be able to put down their traditional mantel - and take a legitimate position in corporate life. Both will be respected as well-rounded members of a society that recognizes and values the social, corporate and individual benefits of shared parenting.

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