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Call to Brown over fathers' role Call to Brown over fathers' role
(about 6 hours later)
Prime minister in waiting Gordon Brown must help to remove barriers stopping fathers playing a more active role with their children, a report has said. Prime minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown must help to remove barriers stopping fathers playing a more active role with their children, a report has said.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) said fathers were more likely to have requests for flexible working rejected than mothers.The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) said fathers were more likely to have requests for flexible working rejected than mothers.
It urged Mr Brown to push for an extension to the current two-week period of paternity leave.It urged Mr Brown to push for an extension to the current two-week period of paternity leave.
The EOC surveyed 16,500 mothers and 12,000 fathers for the report.The EOC surveyed 16,500 mothers and 12,000 fathers for the report.
Despite a revolution in their own attitudes towards fatherhood, men are still finding it difficult to make these aspirations a reality Jenny WatsonEOCDespite a revolution in their own attitudes towards fatherhood, men are still finding it difficult to make these aspirations a reality Jenny WatsonEOC
It said the demand from working fathers to spend more time at home was not being met by employers.It said the demand from working fathers to spend more time at home was not being met by employers.
This had left many new dads frustrated by the lack of time they could spend with their children, the report added.This had left many new dads frustrated by the lack of time they could spend with their children, the report added.
'Right balance''Right balance'
Industry had been slow to adapt to the need for fathers to share the caring role with their partners, the report said.Industry had been slow to adapt to the need for fathers to share the caring role with their partners, the report said.
Among men, there were big differences in the flexibility of working arrangements.Among men, there were big differences in the flexibility of working arrangements.
Men who worked in administrative and professional jobs were more likely to be allowed flexible shifts or time off than those in other professions, it found.Men who worked in administrative and professional jobs were more likely to be allowed flexible shifts or time off than those in other professions, it found.
EOC chairman Jenny Watson said the past 10 years had seen "a strong government agenda" to provide support to mothers.EOC chairman Jenny Watson said the past 10 years had seen "a strong government agenda" to provide support to mothers.
"They are now benefiting from 39 weeks' maternity leave and increases in statutory maternity pay," she said."They are now benefiting from 39 weeks' maternity leave and increases in statutory maternity pay," she said.
"Despite a revolution in their own attitudes towards fatherhood, men are still finding it difficult to make these aspirations a reality.""Despite a revolution in their own attitudes towards fatherhood, men are still finding it difficult to make these aspirations a reality."
"Swift implementation" of additional paternity leave would "demonstrate that Gordon Brown's government is serious about acknowledging that fathers have a role at home, as well as at work," she added."Swift implementation" of additional paternity leave would "demonstrate that Gordon Brown's government is serious about acknowledging that fathers have a role at home, as well as at work," she added.
She said fathers should also have equal access to public services.She said fathers should also have equal access to public services.
"For example, health visitors on home visits should include fathers as well as mothers," she said."For example, health visitors on home visits should include fathers as well as mothers," she said.
"Likewise, early years services must think about ways to engage both parents.""Likewise, early years services must think about ways to engage both parents."
Last week, the government rejected Children's Minister Beverley Hughes' call to extend paternity leave to four weeks.Last week, the government rejected Children's Minister Beverley Hughes' call to extend paternity leave to four weeks.
A Department for Trade and Industry spokesman said the current two-week period struck the "right balance" - and Mrs Hughes had not been setting out government policy.A Department for Trade and Industry spokesman said the current two-week period struck the "right balance" - and Mrs Hughes had not been setting out government policy.