Daddy Dearest? Active fatherhood and public policy

Article

This report make practical and positive suggestions on how public services can be reoriented to promote active fatherhood.

Fatherhood matters. Fathers can improve the life chances of their children. They can improve the circumstances and experiences of mothers. And being a father can enhance the wellbeing of men. For all these reasons, fatherhood is a direct and appropriate concern of public policy.

As women's participation in the paid labour market has increased and family structures have changed, fatherhood has gained momentum as a political issue. Daddy Dearest? makes the case for reassessing public policy in relation to fatherhood, bringing together expert authors in the field.

Among the issues examined are:

  • barriers in the workplace and in families to more active fatherhood
  • parents' relationships and outcomes for children
  • fathers' changing aspirations and expectations
  • the changing structure of care within families.

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