Maternity services and fathers The NSF Working with Fathers conference April 2005

Narratives on fatherhood The invisible father The father to be embraced The violent and abusive father The “icing on the cake” father

What the NSF says “Woman focussed and family centred” –Dealing with the social context in which the child is born –The mother as the primary focus NSF rationale: good parenting by fathers is good for children –Better mental health –Higher quality of later relationships –Less criminality –Better school attendance and behaviour –Better examination results

What the NSF says “Involvement of prospective and new fathers in a child’s life is extremely important for maximising the life-long well-being and outcomes of the child (regardless of whether the father is resident or not). Pregnancy and birth are the first major opportunities to engage fathers in appropriate care and upbringing of their children.” [Standard 11, 5.6, p.11]

21 st century families Unprecedented degree of sharing of care 55% of mothers of under fives work Fathers in dual earner households do one third of care of under fives

What are fathers to do? Stop smoking Stop being violent Be competent and confident carers of mother and baby Provide appropriate support at the birth (if present) Support breastfeeding

What are fathers to do? Care for baby if mother is ill Provide additional care if baby is ill Support older siblings and their relationship with their mother