Fathers shouldn’t leave parenting and household tasks only to mothers

LONDON - A new book has said that fathers must not leave all parenting and household tasks only to mothers, claiming that half of relationships suffer following the birth of a baby.

Duncan Fisher, a former member of the Equal Opportunities Commission, has written the new book on parenting.

It claims that the actions or inaction of men in the first few months of fatherhood are crucial to the future of their families, and that if they stick to the traditional breadwinner role and leave all domestic work to new mothers it can lead to “discord and eventual break-up”.

“We have to work hard for equality at home, not because of ‘dad’s rights’ but because inequality drives couples apart and makes everybody’s life miserable,” the Telegraph quoted him as writing.

“We often see mums who have far too much to do without enough help, dads who feel left out and secondary and children who see their parents’ relationship suffering.

“We need more ‘kitchen table talk’ where the difficulties are acknowledged and solutions discussed,” he stressed.

His book, called ‘Baby’s Here! Who Does What?’ claims that half of parents say their relationship deteriorates after a baby is born, while one in 10 mothers suffers post-natal depression.

Two-thirds of parents feel fathers don’t spend enough time with their young children but a far smaller proportion think that mothers should be in charge.

Fisher believes parents should share caring and earning roles, as well as ensuring they make time to continue doing things they enjoyed before having children.

However he admits that fathers face an “uphill struggle” in seeking equality in the home.

This is because tradition, employers and the benefits system all encourage mothers to take charge in the home and reward fathers who work long hours.

The book says that fathers should do all they can to win flexible working rights, allowing them to spend extra time bonding with their baby.

It comes after academic research found that couples are twice as likely to divorce when the husband does not help around the home.

A study by a senior lecturer at the London School of Economics claimed their willingness to carry out chores almost cancels out the “destabilising” effect on families created by mothers returning to employment. (ANI)