In a new report it argues that Government policies need to talk aboutmothers, not just 'parents'.
Priority for free childcare should be given to families where bothparents are unemployed and where the mother is the lone parent, says theFPI. Fathers should have the right to a 'Daddy' month and maternity payshould rise to minimum wage levels.
The recommendations come from a report launched at the institute'sconference on Modern Motherhood in London last week.
Chief executive Mary MacLeod said, 'The Government has done a lot toimprove things for parents, but we think more could be done byGovernment and business to help and support mothers.
'Fatherhood and motherhood are not the same. They bring differentdemands, so we need to have policies, services and workplaces that caterfor the different needs.'
The report, Listening to mother, says that splitting parental leave moreequally between mothers and fathers could help parents to sharechildcare responsibilities more easily, and that mothers and fathersshould have the right to flexible working, not just the right to requestit.
Author Sally Grimson said that women were 'lulled into a false sense ofsecurity' into thinking that, unlike their mothers, having childrentoday would have little effect on their lives.
'Although it is easy to discount how much better conditions have becomefor mothers in the last 11 years, we are not there yet.' she said.'Becoming a mother still carries an enormous penalty and the poorer awoman you are, the greater the price you pay.'
- Further information: 'Listening to mother' is atwww.familyandparenting.org/information,publications.
