Post by j***@davidbevan.co.ukThere seems to be an underlying implication in these messages that its
OK to bias child caring related benifits (ie extended maternity
pay/holding job open for a year etc) towards woman since statistically
its woman who end up doing more childcare.
Actually, no; at least not in my posts.
It is not OK. But it isn't OK either that it *is* the case that the mums have
the burden by far.
Post by j***@davidbevan.co.uk...I would just like to reverse this, there are statistically more men
in full time work than woman (there has to be if there are all these
full time Mums you talk about) but it would be illeagal to treat men
more favorably at work just based on the fact that they are the
majority. (im not saying it doesnt happen!)
Ah, but read my other recent post. It took some effort on womens' side, against
a lot of resistance, to make it a reality that we *are* a very significant part
of the work force. *Before* equally favorable treatment became the norm. And,
in that case, the employer can darn well see if any person, including a woman,
simply isn't doing what she was hired to do, and tell her to find another place
to goldbrick.
Hopefully you can understand employers' trepidation regarding granting leave to
fathers, on the chance that they're going to use it for actual childrearing,
with little opportunity to verify that this isn't simply a boondoggle for him
whilst the lady does all the baby work. So, that needs *not* to be the case
for a large majority of new fathers.
Post by j***@davidbevan.co.ukWouldnt it be a sensible step forward to encorage men to take a more
active role in child care by making it easier for them to take the time
off from work?
Yes! Very sensible. For all concerned, not the least the children themselves.
But that was my point, although you missed it.
Unfortunately, you (as a gender in the U.K.) are experiencing a lag between a
developing new reality of fatherhood and employers catching up. Well, welcome
to social change. As female engineer entering the field in the 1970's, I can
tell you quite a bit personally about that lag between social reality and
employers' actions.
So, the best of luck to you, I commend you.
Post by j***@davidbevan.co.ukMy first is due in June and a really would like to spend
as much time as possible with him/her, but know that I simply dont have
the same rights as my wife and so its going to prove extremely
difficult!
Yes, and that's a bad thing that should change. There's no magic wand to do
that unless and until social reality changes.
Post by j***@davidbevan.co.ukThe existance of the sterotype isnt an excuse for the inequal law, its
the inequal law that creates the sterotype in the first place!
That, I don't agree with - the stereotype has created the law. As I said above,
I'm quite familliar with that phenomenon.
Cheers,
Banty