Lone fathers face glass ceiling
A new report published today by Gingerbread shows that lone fathers lose out when it comes to work, support services and the attitudes of friends and family.
A key finding is that lone fathers face unequal access to family friendly employment. To keep a job many have to work below their skills level and so face their own 'glass ceiling'. Others have to stop work all together, which means that children who have already withstood bereavement or separation fall into poverty.
Gingerbread welcomes the Government's support for a work-life balance but the report shows that fathers are not treated fairly. Employers and government must recognise that men can be the main carer for their children and introduce family friendly policies for all employees in all work places.
Amanda Ball Chief Executive of Gingerbread says,
"Becoming a lone father family is difficult enough. This report shows that society puts too many unnecessary barriers in their way. Lone fathers and their children deserve better".
September 27, 2001
Notes to Editors
The full findings of the report will be launched at Gingerbread's Conference on Lone Fathers on 10th October at the Congress Centre, 23 Great Russell Street, WC1
* 11% of all lone parents are lone fathers
* 86% of fathers in the study were in work before becoming a lone father falling to 64 % afterwards. The main reason for leaving employment was being unable to balance work and caring for their children. In addition 26% of those who remained in employment found that becoming a lone father damaged their career prospects.
* 61% felt that society viewed them negatively.
* The report finds that the new issues addressed on becoming a lone father were involvement in their children's education (35%), cooking and food (21%) and caring for their children's health (20%).
* Fathers in the UK work the longest hours in Europe.
* Lone fathers reported that that men do not support one another in the way that women do and they often found it difficult to access mother's support networks.
* The Gingerbread self help group network gave lone fathers the opportunity to meet others who had the same experience as themselves and offered friendship and support.
* Notwithstanding the very considerable barriers they face, lone fathers talk about enormous satisfaction they derive from bringing up their children.
Further information about Gingerbread is on our web site www gingerbread.org.uk