UK Dads Unprepared For New Paternity Leave
Ten weeks on from the government’s introduction of radical new changes in paternity law, which enable fathers to take up to six months Additional Paternity Leave once their partner has gone back to work, it’s revealed that British dads are being poorly prepared for fatherhood, with 46 per cent feeling ignored by maternity services and 57 per cent saying that antenatal classes aren’t adequately preparing them for the task ahead.
And while two thirds of fathers believe themselves to be as competent as their partner in looking after their baby, two thirds feel that the general public doesn’t trust them to do this.
Ocado has worked with the Fatherhood Institute to better understand the role fathers play in today’s households, ahead of launching a new Personal Shopper service which aims to make life easier for families.
British fathers are clearly up for the task of becoming a father. With an 800 per cent increase in their contributions childcare since the 1970s and a 500 per cent increase since 1961 in the amount of cooking and washing up they do men are now spending an average of 27 minutes per day cooking and washing up, compared to an average of five minutes thirty years ago[3].
The survey also revealed current perceptions of the new laws, introduced on 3rd April 2011:
- 54 per cent of fathers did not know they could take over the second six months of their partner’s maternity leave
- 50 per cent of fathers believe that taking six months’ Additional Paternity Leave would damage their career prospects - while only 22% think that their partner’s taking six months’ Maternity Leave would damage hers
- 75 per cent of respondents think it’s easier to go to work than look after a new born baby
- 81 per cent of fathers support the new laws and the opportunity for couples to share the care of their baby in the first year
-70 per cent of fathers believe their partner’s career won’t be affected by taking a full year’s Maternity Leave
Greg Rusedski, one of the UK’s best known tennis players and a father of two said: "Fathers today are becoming a bigger part of their children’s upbringing, with dads now carrying out a quarter of the family’s childcare related activities during the week and one third at weekends.
"A father’s involvement in the family from early on is incredibly important as they have a big influence over children’s food and exercise choices[5].
Rusedski, who is working with Ocado offering tips and advice to new dads, added: "Looking after young kids can be as exhausting as competing on the tennis court, but recent changes to paternity laws gives dad the chance to get involved around the house which can help build stronger family relationships.’
Jason Gissing, co-founder of Ocado said: "The recent change in paternity laws gives new fathers the opportunity to spend more time at home with their children.
"We’re all about saving time for busy new mums and dads who are juggling both maternity and paternity leave.