Fatherhood Today
Tuesday 15th November 2011
Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
9.30am-1pm
£25.00 including lunch
Fathers are seen as crucial actors in the early development of children.
Fathers themselves consistently respond in questionnaires that they would
like to spend more time with their children. Yet fathers with young children
also work the longest hours – even more than other men.
Fathers are also becoming more vociferous in demanding rights of access and
recognition of their role. Yet few take up paternity leave that is available
and women continue to be the main carers for children, even when they are
working full time.
- How is modern fatherhood changing?
- Why are Dads not taking up their rights?
- How can they be supported as fathers?
- What implications does this have for mothers and the gendered division of labour?
The event will begin with the screening of a 10 minute film drama exploring
the problems of modern fatherhood from the point of view of three
contrasting fathers who are the main carers for small children:
- Jonathan a gay dad,
- Justin a full time carer because his wife earns more than he ever could and
- Sid, a single dad whose raising a family second time round after an affair with ayounger colleague who left him holding the baby.
The film would be usedto stimulate discussion about the current role of fathers.
This will be followed by a presentation of research results from European
projects showing the different ways that fathers cope across Europe in
contrast to the UK and the different policy contexts that make it harder or
easier for them.
The seminar is aimed at anyone with an interest in families/fatherhood from
social work, health, education or academia.
To reserve your place at the seminar, please complete an on-line booking
The Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR)
The University of Edinburgh
23 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh
EH8 9LN
Tel: 0131 651 3001
Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday 9am-4.30pm
