Press Releases

29 April 2008

Modern day dads say they have to battle to be the father they want to be

Many fathers feel they have to battle just to be there for their children, according to an NSPCC fatherhood survey launching today (29 April 2008). Long working hours, society's failure to recognise the importance of a father's role and a lack of "father friendly" support are all hurdles today's dads say they are struggling to overcome.

The findings of the survey complement a photographic exhibition - Fathergood? - which the NSPCC opens today. (1) Images taken by 40 children and young people convey the relationship they have with their father and the importance of the role of the dad. The images can be viewed at the children's charity parenting magazine - www.yourfamily.org.uk - which launches an online edition this week.

The new NSPCC survey - which polled over a 1,000 dads - shows that more than one in two fathers (54 per cent) feel it is a battle to be the dad they want to be in twenty-first century Britain. (2) The findings come following an extensive body of research by different organisations, (3) which highlights the vital role played by fathers who are closely involved in bringing up their children. The benefits include children achieving more in school, being less likely to become involved in crime and being able to form good, healthy relationships in their lives.

A culture of long working hours and inflexible jobs feature prominently in the list of fathers' concerns with 59 per cent feeling career pressure can keep them away from their children. 51 per cent feel they do not get enough recognition from society for the role they play in their child's lives and 46 per cent say a lack of father friendly support and advice can contribute to their difficulties.

More than one in three dads (38 per cent) say it is a struggle for them to be seen as important as mum in a largely female culture of parenting and fathers who are separated, divorced, single or widowed feel most strongly that it is a battle for them to be the dad they want to be. (4)

NSPCC director and chief executive Dame Mary Marsh said: "These are all growing issues fathers say they have to face in today's society. It is clear most fathers want to be there for their children and we know a good relationship between a dad and a child can benefit children and help mum. Fatherhood can be a daunting challenge for anyone and it's concerning many dads feel they are being left to struggle on without the right support and advice to guide them.

"Each photograph in Fathergood? has a personal meaning to the young person who took it, but what is clear is the strength of emotion and feeling behind them all. While most children have a great relationship with their dad other images detail the barriers in communication or difficulties dads face in being there for their child."

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "It's not surprising that fathers find it difficult to spend enough time with their children, given the UK's long hours culture and pressure to put in hours at work. We know a third of fathers are working more than 40 hours a week - and dads do the most unpaid overtime hours when their children are under five. Lots of parents are spending more time at work than is good for them, their partners or their children, and current laws must be strengthened if flexible working is to become a reality for everyone who wants it."

John Baker, Chair of Families Need Fathers said: "We are encouraged that the equal role and importance of fathers is receiving the acknowledgement that it deserves, underlining our core belief that both parents matter. This NSPCC survey shows how the pressures of work and outdated attitudes, even in the 21st century, continue to hinder many men's wish to be good dads. We are delighted to echo the message of the NSPCC and Fathergood? that more needs to be done to change those attitudes and give fathers the support they need to fulfil their responsibility as equal parents."

Duncan Fisher, Director of the Fatherhood Institute 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.  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." 

NSPCC head of child protection awareness and diversity Chris Cloke said: "The Fathergood? exhibition highlights how vital it is for the government to encourage and support fathers to create lasting bonds with their children. By giving them more support we can be sure that every father can be the dad they want to be and children get the father they deserve."

The NSPCC runs several family support centres across the country, which offer a range of services to dads including parenting workshops and drop in centres where they are offered advice, support and encouragement.  One particular project in Swindon - North Swindon Family Centre - has been praised for its pioneering 'father friendly' work, (5) which includes engaging with fathers on a one-to-one basis and creating and supporting a group of fathers with children under five.

The NSPCC also works with both mums and dads who may be finding family life difficult and need support from domestic violence or drug or alcohol abuse.

Ends

To request copies of the visuals please contact NSPCC media office on 0207 825 2835 out of hours 07976206625

The Fathergood? Exhibition is at RichMix Gallery, Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA from Tuesday 29 April to 6 May.

View The Fathergood? Exhibition images

Notes to editors

1. The NSPCC's 'Fathergood?' exhibition displays imaginative photographs taken by more than 40 young people who were given disposable cameras and asked to think creatively and abstractly about what fatherhood means to them. The powerful images that have resulted  include hearts, orange juice and medals (representing love, support, and sharing, guiding) and empty wine bottles, road signs and broken branches, symbolising loneliness, communication failure, absentee dads and fractured relationships.

2. ICM interviewed 1,023 fathers aged 18+ between 18 March - 13 April 2008. Interviews were conducted across England, Wales and Scotland. As part of the interviews fathers were given a range of options that might make it more difficult for them to be the dad they want to be.

3. The Fatherhood Institute have undertaken a literature review of all research charting the pathways through which fathers influence their children's education development since 1975: Fatherhood Institute Research summary: Fathers' Influence Over Children's Education. http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?id=12&cID=583

4. 70 per cent of fathers who are divorced, separated or widowed felt that they did not get enough recognition from society on the importance of the fathers role and 65 per cent felt that it is a battle these days to be the dad they want to be.

5. In a report to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Swindon Borough Council has singled out the Centre as an example of good practice in the region. 

The NSPCC is the UK's leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. The NSPCC runs 180 projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.

The TUC is the voice of Britain at work. With 58 affiliated unions representing more than six million working people from all walks of life, we campaign for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad. We negotiate in Europe, and at home build links with political parties, business, local communities and wider society.
For more information about the TUC visit www.tuc.org.uk

The Fatherhood Institute is the UK's fatherhood think tank. The Institute (charity reg. no.1075104) formerly Fathers Direct: collates and publishes international research on fathers, fatherhood and different approaches to engaging with fathers; helps shape national and local policies to ensure a father-inclusive approach to family policy; injects research evidence on fathers and fatherhood into national debates about parenting and parental roles; lobbies for changes in law, policy and practice to dismantle barriers to fathers' care of infants and children; and is the UK's leading provider of training, consultancy and publications on father-inclusive practice, for public and third sector agencies and employers.

Families Need Fathers (FNF) is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child's relationship with both parents. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.