State of Australia’s Fathers

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Seventy percent of fathers spend more quality time with their children than their father did with them. Photo: Melissa Wells 2. Fathers and child development We know men who are more involved as fathers and caregivers can improve the lives of children, the lives of women and their own lives. 5 Involved fathers are good for children: evidence shows that when men are engaged from the start of children’s lives — whether by participating in prenatal care and education, being present during childbirth or taking leave from work when a child is born — they establish a pattern of greater lifelong participation. Fathers’ ongoing positive involvement in the lives of their sons and daughters — listening to them and involving them in decision-making — enhances children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development and can contribute to their happiness. 6 Fathers’ involvement has been linked to higher cognitive development and school achievement, better mental health for boys and girls and higher self-esteem. 7 There is a strong case around child protection for more involved and nurturing fathers as well. Involved fatherhood can help protect children from violence, abuse and neglect. When daughters and sons see their fathers in respectful, non-violent, equitable relationships with their mothers and other women, they internalise the idea that men and women are equal and pass this on to their own children. 8 The bottom line is that men must be good partners as well as good fathers. Men recognise the importance of their role as fathers Our survey found 90 percent of men agree that having an active father or other male figure is important for healthy child development. • While around 80 percent of fathers said they are responsible for earning money to meet their children’s financial needs, around 80 percent also said they are responsible for caring for their child. • 70 percent report spending more quality time with their children than their father did with them. But they need support and encouragement to become more involved caregivers. Parenting is a skill, yet many fathers have never sought advice on caring for children: • 45 percent of the fathers we surveyed had never sought advice on parenting and caring for children. • Encouragingly, we are seeing a shift in attitudes, with only 29 percent of fathers with children under 18 never seeking advice compared with 57 percent of fathers with children over 18. • For fathers with children under 18 seeking advice, the main source of advice was their partner, followed by friends, their mother then their father. To a lesser extent, parenting books, relatives and online sources were also consulted as the main source of advice. Only one in five accessed a fathers’ group. These survey results together with our case study interviews (see text box: Men on parenting advice), indicate that a consultative process with men would be worthwhile to determine what type of advice and services they would use. 8
Men on parenting advice “Everybody needs parenting advice. It’s not necessarily something that is wanted, especially when times are toughest, but guidance and support is critical. I became a father before any of my friends or siblings, so I felt very isolated when I had my first son. It took a massive toll on my relationship with my wife. Men need to feel like it’s ‘normal’ to hang out at playgroups and parenting support groups.” - Max*, 32, with children aged one, three, four and 11 “It’s very hard to have men’s programs — some men think they already know everything. But we make so many assumptions in parenthood, without proper understanding. Materials we can use as men like ‘raising strong boys’, practical things that you can learn and groups for men are the key. The messages my father and friends gave me before I got married would not be helpful now — they are no longer applicable. Back then there were differences in gender roles — if I was to apply this advice now, my wife would be very upset with me.” - Geoff*, 45, with boys aged six and 11 “They have prenatal classes leading up to birth, but after that there’s nothing really that happens. I sort of made it up as I went along, even now as I am a grandfather looking after my grandkids. It’s important that people know where to go. Nobody wants to be told parenting 101 but people need to know where to access the information.” - Josh*, 60, with children aged 15, 17, 32, 36 and 37 9
Page 1 and 2: State of Australia’s Fathers
Page 3 and 4: Paul Ronalds meets two young childr
Page 5 and 6: • Under the right conditions and
Page 7: But there is still a long way to go
Page 11 and 12: Men are concerned about the impact
Page 13 and 14: Children matter - providing love an
Page 15 and 16: Fathers today may be more involved
Page 17 and 18: What being a father means to me “
Page 19 and 20: At present, government-funded paid
Page 21 and 22: Generation change: father’s leave
Page 23 and 24: Flexible work arrangements are emer
Page 25 and 26: Annex: Our research on men’s atti
Page 27 and 28: 27 Bronte-Tinkew J, Moore K, Carran

State of Australia’s Fathers

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