TRANSCRIPT
An alliance of Australian dads are calling for change - saying stereotypes, workplace pressures and legal rights are lagging behind modern expectations of fatherhood.
Amar Singh - founder of Turbans 4 Australia and 2023 Australian of the Year Local Hero says one challenge is overcoming traditional family values.
"Unofficially it's already changing and many fathers are not in that, you know, the traditional father role where they'll just go to work come home. And that's it. They're much more involved. But sadly there is a stigma attached as well. So we need to break that down. So fathers can be better dads to their kids and play the very important role that they have in a family unit and have a great life with their kids."
Being a hands-on parent is something fathers from migrant backgrounds often find challenging.
That was the experience of Dodzi Kpodo, who came to Australia from Togo as a refugee in 2010 - and last year was honoured as Community Father of the Year.
“When my son is born I have to give him a bath. I've never seen any man doing anymore in my life my entire life. So I have to step up and do it. So I think if men's were giving opportunity to to get involved, I think we would do a fantastic job.”
CEO of The Fathering Project, Kati Gapaillard says research shows outdated policies are preventing progress.
"The OECD shows this very clearly that fathers taking on more caregiving is the missing link to solve the gender pay gap"
To tackle the problem, the Dads Action Group is calling on governments to implement reforms to help fathers take a more active role in the early development of their children.
Mr Kpodo says access to affordable early childhood education is critical.
"If they don't have that early childhood education. They're struggling decision making let's try to Let's struggle to contribute the struggle to think... so, just remove the barriers so that it would be affordable for everyone. Doesn't matter. What is your culture background wherever you come from"
Red Wiggle Simon Pryce is throwing his support behind the campaign.
"It's become more aware how important these Early Learning Centers are for children in their development and as a wiggle, and as a dad, I'm very very proud and pleased to be here today"
In addition to better access to early childhood education, the campaign is also calling for more education and support for new fathers.
Ms Gapaillard says of around a thousand dads surveyed by the Fathering Project, almost 80 per cent said they received no formal support for their parenting.
"When mums have children they often get support and education and training through local council healthcare, through mums groups from other mums, nurses, but dad's just don't get any of that... so often mums have to step in and say this is how you do it.. this is how it works and that removes the confidence from the dads and the self efficacy from the dads to be able to really look after their kids themselves"
The alliance is calling for twelve weeks of federally-funded paid parental leave for all non-birthing parents; Currently they're entitled to just two.
The Fathering Project found 85% of Australian fathers surveyed who did not access their parental leave - felt a responsibility to keep working.
And Australia's Gender Equality Scorecard found men accounted for only 14% of all paid parental leave taken in the 2023 financial year.
Thrive by Five campaign director and former South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, says he wants men to discuss the issues, and help change attitudes.
"It’s tough but it's a conversation I think men can have with other men, it's OK to talk about this dilemma, if we get it right it's going to be good for kids, fantastic for your partner, if there's more equal sharing of the parenting, but really good for society and the broader community"
Something Gudanji and Wambaya man Joel Bayliss, founder of the social media movement 'hashtag Indigenous Dads', agrees with.
"Our grandfather's our fathers were the storytellers for 60,000 years alongside. Our grandmother's and mothers our aunties and so by by supporting our kids to raise better kids, they're gonna be better young people for society."
Governments and workplaces urged to step up, and foster true equality and partnership in parenting.
