Interesting speech yesterday from Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg to the Daycare Trust about the importance of male role models for children:
I remember well when I first arrived at Westminster the strange looks I would get when I would miss a drink in the Commons bar so that I could put the kids to bed.
For men wanting to actually work in the field, the social disapproval, even hostility, that they often feel is a huge deterrent … Of those who have done it, some say the only way they were accepted was by being seen as ‘honorary women’, rather than as men with perfectly legitimate and important contributions to make.
Women have worked long and hard to get into professions that they were kept out of for years. And they are still working at it, that fight isn’t over; the pay gap proves it.
But we must extend the fight to include equal rights for men in the professions where they are excluded.
Children need a mixture of role models. And for the one million lone parent families in this country, a male presence in the childcare environment can be hugely positive.
You can read Nick Clegg’s full speech on his website and the BBC’s coverage is here.
His comments concentrate on the childcare aspect of the issue, and other aspects of this area have been raised by other Liberal Democrat MPs. For example, ‘Dads and doughnuts’ schemes have been used in the US to help involve fathers more in their children’s upbringing, as Lynne Featherstone has blogged about previously.
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7 Comments
Is there any subject of tedium Dear Leader won’t talk about these days? I was about to nod off when I noticed this part:
“But we must extend the fight to include equal rights for men in the professions where they are excluded.”
What does this mean?
In what way do men not have “equal rights” and what professions are we “excluded” from?
Or is this one of those “Oooh, the culture is against men, the poor darlings, so we need lots of government schemes to correct the stupid prejudices that the plebs still suffer from” arguments?
(and you’ll have to forgive me if I’ve spoken too soon; I couldn’t make it through the above post, let alone the full speech)
I don’t know if Nick intended to come over as a great big girl’s blouse . . .
I thought it was very revealing of how the meedja works that, of all the things Nick may have done in the last week, they picked up this. And it is, of course, because he’s got two kids and another on the way. It’s yer basic hooman interest story. Give them a cogent, costed tax policy without a cute child attached and they don’t want to know.
“you’ll have to forgive me if I’ve spoken too soon”
Hm, Julian H, I much regret such a breach, but I’m not sure I shall this time. To be honest I wish more people round here would save bashing the leader for when it’s actually due. This constant barrage of sarcasm at everything Clegg says and does makes people like me, who begin from a reasonably neutral position (I didn’t even vote for him, for goodness’ sake), less inclined to listen to you when you do have a point.
The speech was partly about how men who could make a great contribution to the childcare profession feel put off going into it because they fear their motivations will be “suspect” (i.e. lynch mobs will paint “peedo” across their houses). Perfectly fair point. Given odd prominence by the Beeb because it came with small cute children attached, and thus reported to you as coverage. So put your caustic soda away.
Laurence, he’s just secure in himself 😉
I think role of men in bringing up and looking after children is very important. I am surprised Julian is dismissive of this.
If I had the time only to either read a post or to make a comment about the post, I would read it. I am surprised Julian does the opposite.
I am surprised Julian does the opposite.
Surprised? Really? You know me not well, Mr Steve.
The role of men bla bla bla may be important, but I still don’t see where the “equal rights” and “exclusion” come from.
But granted, I will capitulate to Ms Mortimer’s point – my post was peevish, and we shouldn’t bitch about Nick so much. All the recent stuff has just got to me, “Government Bank” and all that.
Anyway, over and out, I’m wasting far too much time on internet non-arguments.
Sorry, But i would not press on this point. I think only a male can be so naive about the amount on male predators when it comes to females and children. 80% females suffer sexual abuse before 16. Third 10-15yrs old, third 5-10yrs old. Third under fives, usually by someone they know and in a position of power. There is also the prevalent idea that certain children and females from certain backgrounds are legitimate targets. They get no support fro police, authorities or church leaders as we are disposable. Every churcg leader when I was little Baptist, Catholic, Methodist etc explained that children like me didn’t matter and were made by God fro men to practise their vile side on to sav their own children. Even tried it on themselves and policemen – with threats.
Sorry. Live in your dreamworld but most women do not. Would not leave a child with a sole male. It continues. 4 yr odl Godchild shown how to insert a bottle into her vagina to expand it. Autistic nephew coached and groomed by male worker. Severe head injury lad sexually assualted by support worker.
Don’t have the pleasure of your naivity.
J
J – can you provide your sources for those figures?
Julian…being equal before the law does not sadly equal equality on the ground.
Personally, I think it’s quite refreshing that Nick is talking about something like this. If you are involved in primary education in any way (I’m a school governor, so I see this) then you will be aware that male teachers are pretty damn rare.
Now, I think part of the reason men don’t go into primary education or childcare as is because the pay is not as good as secondary education. Indeed we pay people more to look after our cars than we do our children.
However, a good portion of it, is that it’s not seen as men’s work to look after young children. That I believe harms both men and kids.
Cultural norms can be far more powerful and actually more effective than laws in enforcing behaviour and this is just one of them.
You may think it a tedious subject but I’m extremely worried about the lack of good role models some little boys have especially when their father is absent. But there you, that’s diversity for you..what’s boring to you is important to me and what you think is vital I think is peripheral. Shame we don’t have such diversity in childcare and primary education.