The term “family-friendly” gets bandied about often but, in practice, any related initiatives tend to be constructed almost exclusively around new mothers. Not only do new dads miss out on the empowering experience of fatherhood but this lopsided approach also reinforces the false stereotype that only women can be good caregivers. If you are already a father or plan to be one soon, you can counter this by advocating for fathers’ rights in the workplace.
Stick it to the Stigma
Research shows that while more women are availing themselves of maternity leave and other related benefits, their male counterparts are stubbornly reluctant to do the same. A major reason for this recalcitrance is the stigma attached to men and childcare.
Researchers found that males were less likely to take full paternity leave, returned to work before it was required of them, and hid their childcare concerns from their bosses. Fatherhood advocacy must work to counteract this harmful mentality. Just like the workplace maternity movement did years ago, we must boldly put forth our ideas at all levels and compel companies to address our concerns.
What Women Want
One of the most powerful tactics of advocacy is to collaborate with causes that align with yours. Recognize that some of the most powerful lobbies are those that work for women’s equality in the workplace.
Fatherhood advocacy groups must emphasize that there is a mutually beneficial nexus where workplace fatherhood and women’s employability meet. When women comprise a larger part of the workforce and earn as much as or more than their male partners, employers will see an advantage to extending more generous paternity benefits.
Dollars and Sense
Trite as it sounds, money makes the world go round. Perhaps the greatest impediment to broader rights for fathers is that companies view it as an additional expense. Research, however, shows that the equation may not as be as cut and dried as it first seems.
Studies show that the extension of greater paternity benefits to fathers coincides with better staff engagement and retention rates. Employees are happier and feel a sense of loyalty that transcends the ups and downs of the workplace experience. Such companies fare better than others in the face of major disruptions like the coronavirus pandemic. Which company would scoff at that?
Almost every father admits that the experience of birth and nurturing young lives brings a new perspective to their existence. It imbues a sense of empathy and a greater awareness for diverse causes, including the salvation of the planet for posterity.
Know that your fatherhood advocacy efforts today will be part of all our children’s world far into the future. When you see this for yourself, it will be all that much easier to share the vision with the decision-makers you wish to convince.
