According to new ICM research launched by the Fatherhood Institute

in January of this year, 7 out of 10 mothers think that fathers are as skilled at parenting as they are.

The new institute says that, mainly because of unsocial hours and inflexible working, fathers are unable to spend as much time with their children as mothers are. It wants more parental leave for fathers and asks that midwives and teachers give more thought to the matter and try to involve fathers more in the lives of their children.

According to the poll, both men and women believe the biggest positive impact of a dad’s  involvement is on a child’s behavioural problems, self esteem and school work. This is backed by independent evidence cited in The Difference a Dad Makes, launched alongside the survey findings. Not that there is anything new in this finding. It has been known for many years that homes where fathers have been excluded by the collusion of a mother and a family court judge, produces children who are more likely to fail at school, have poorer health and are more likely to engage in criminal activities.

Over 1000 people were surveyed for more than a month producing the following findings:

- 68% of mums say that dad is just as good at looking after the kids as they are.

- 95% of men and women say that it is important for dads to spend time caring for children during their first two years.

- 67% of women and 72% of men say society values a child’s relationship with mother more than father. This gives fathers the impression that they are regarded as nothing more than working cheque books.

- 6 out of 10 (59%) of people say that society assumes mothers are good for children, but fathers have to prove it. In view of the massive amount of evidence that fathers are essential, this attitude is unbelievably crass. The media are mostly responsible for promulgating this attitude.

- Two-thirds (66%) of fathers regret not having more time to spend with their children, but, obviously they cannot be out working to support their family and also be at home caring for their children at the same time.

Duncan Fisher, Director of The Fatherhood Institute, commenting on the survey, said:

“Most mums have confidence in dads – and they want them to play a bigger role. People’s instincts about parenting back up what research has been telling us.”

 In view of this, it is incredible that the UK’s present government’s policy is that an assumption of equal parenting “would be unhelpful”. Obviously we need a new government which thinks differently and does not bow to the outdated diktats of the feminists in their ranks such as Harriet Harman and her ilk.

It’s clear that parental leave and services do not meet the needs of the modern family. Government and policy makers need to catch up with reality because involving dads has a huge impact on a child’s wellbeing and life chances.