Nursery World - Let's allow some time with dad

By Jim Parton, from Families Need Fathers Children are women's work; that has been the traditional view. Male nursery or primary teachers are almost unheard of. Somehow men are considered 'unsafe'. As Bob Geldof says, 'Not all men are brutal indifferent bores and all women ministering angels.'

Children are women's work; that has been the traditional view. Male nursery or primary teachers are almost unheard of. Somehow men are considered 'unsafe'. As Bob Geldof says, 'Not all men are brutal indifferent bores and all women ministering angels.'

The result, in this world of 50 per cent-plus family breakdown, is that many children may not encounter a male authority figure until they reach their teens.

Research is unequivocal that where there's an involved dad, teenage girls suffer less pregnancy, boys get in less trouble, and both do better at school and have higher self-esteem.

So let's not pathologise family breakdown. Sadly, it's now close to normality - mostly normal parents throwing in the towel on their relationships, and not because either partner is innately evil, or hopeless as a parent.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included