Conservative, SNP and Labour MPs shared their fatherhood and parenting experiences before unanimously agreeing to increase support for fathers.
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A cross-party group of MPs have identified a number of problems faced by new fathers, such as the impact of loneliness and financial pressures on mental health.
In a debate led by Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, SNP and Labour MPs shared their fatherhood and parenting experiences before unanimously agreeing to increase support for fathers.
“While I recognise there are still enormous challenges that many women face during maternity, there remains a significant gap in the recognition and value of paternity” Ms Crouch said.
“This debate comes as the NHS looks to re-configure maternity services for the next decade and major report from the Centre for Social Justice looking at the role of fathers during this critical period.”
The Tory MP also pointed out that a mother’s mental health is often the priority, but no one asks about the father’s at such a testing time.
Greg Holloway is a teacher with a 13-month old daughter. He told CityNews that the early months of fatherhood were lonely due to pressures at work and home.
“If you’re with a partner who chooses to breastfeed a baby, they build a very strong bond very early on and you do feel a bit like there’s not much you can do to help.”
“When I was working she felt she had to be up in the night to care for the baby. It can very quickly turn into a wedge between the two of you and you can feel isolated as a Dad.”
Greg Holloway says the best thing about parenthood is coming home from work to smiling faces, but felt lonely in the early stages.
In a report called Testing Times, the Centre for Social justice found that 6 in 10 fathers had no contact with the midwife at all during pregnancy, and 4 in 10 had never been invited to local Childrens Centres or classes with their partner.
Labour MP David Lammy, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, said: “The consequences of a father falling out of a child’s life are hugely significant, and any government that is serious about tackling social mobility and improving the life chances of our children needs to take fatherhood seriously.”
The cross-party group of MPs decided that language plays an important role for including a father, suggesting the term ‘birthing partner’ used in maternity wards can undermine the key role a father plays.
They also suggested an increase in paternity leave will allow fathers to form an early bond with their child and could lead to better mental health, parental equality and a balanced work dynamic.
“We’re hear for mums and dads” said Ms Crouch. “Parenting is about a partnership.”
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HeadlineCross-party MPs vow to tackle loneliness in new fathers
Short HeadlineMPs to tackle loneliness in fatherhood
Standfirst80% of fathers feel like a "spare part" in early parenthood, according to a think tank.
A cross-party group of MPs have identified a number of problems faced by new fathers, such as the impact of loneliness and financial pressures on mental health.
In a debate led by Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, SNP and Labour MPs shared their fatherhood and parenting experiences before unanimously agreeing to increase support for fathers.
“While I recognise there are still enormous challenges that many women face during maternity, there remains a significant gap in the recognition and value of paternity” Ms Crouch said.
“This debate comes as the NHS looks to re-configure maternity services for the next decade and major report from the Centre for Social Justice looking at the role of fathers during this critical period.”
The Tory MP also pointed out that a mother’s mental health is often the priority, but no one asks about the father’s at such a testing time.
Greg Holloway is a teacher with a 13-month old daughter. He told CityNews that the early months of fatherhood were lonely due to pressures at work and home.
“If you’re with a partner who chooses to breastfeed a baby, they build a very strong bond very early on and you do feel a bit like there’s not much you can do to help.”
“When I was working she felt she had to be up in the night to care for the baby. It can very quickly turn into a wedge between the two of you and you can feel isolated as a Dad.”
Greg Holloway says the best thing about parenthood is coming home from work to smiling faces, but felt lonely in the early stages.
In a report called Testing Times, the Centre for Social justice found that 6 in 10 fathers had no contact with the midwife at all during pregnancy, and 4 in 10 had never been invited to local Childrens Centres or classes with their partner.
Labour MP David Lammy, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, said: “The consequences of a father falling out of a child’s life are hugely significant, and any government that is serious about tackling social mobility and improving the life chances of our children needs to take fatherhood seriously.”
The cross-party group of MPs decided that language plays an important role for including a father, suggesting the term ‘birthing partner’ used in maternity wards can undermine the key role a father plays.
They also suggested an increase in paternity leave will allow fathers to form an early bond with their child and could lead to better mental health, parental equality and a balanced work dynamic.
“We’re hear for mums and dads” said Ms Crouch. “Parenting is about a partnership.”
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