Gavin Newlands MP promotes the role of fathers
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has spoken on a debate in Westminster on the role of fathers and the positive contribution they make to a child’s development, wellbeing and society in general.
Last year, Scotland celebrated the Year of the Dad to promote the contribution fathers and those in fatherly roles make to child development, families and society - and also to provide greater understanding of the benefits to organisations in recognising fathers.
Mr Newlands also called on the UK government to introduce a more effective shared parental leave policy to help both men and women with their family commitments.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North said:
“As a father of two young daughters, I’m familiar with juggling family and work, so I understand some of the traditional pressures on the male role in the family unit, although its meaning is changing. Most modern dads want to be involved with every aspect of child rearing, and recognising the role fathers play in a child’s development, wellbeing and educational attainment is hugely beneficial to our communities.
“The positive involvement of fathers in society benefits everyone and it’s not about diminishing the role that mother’s play in anyway - quite the opposite. Getting it right for every child is also about getting it right for every father and that’s why the SNP has made it a central part of achieving gender equality.
“We need to ensure that employers are supported in offering all employees the opportunity to take a period of leave to care for their child so that the responsibility does not fall on women’s shoulders by default. An effective shared parental policy will help both men at home and women at work.
“The SNP Scottish Government is working hard to promote flexible working and childcare in Scotland using our devolved powers but at the end of the day, employment law is reserved to Westminster.
“The UK government must wake up to the reality that gender discrimination is not only hugely detrimental to individuals and our society but actually harming our continued economic growth. The Tories must act now to close the gender pay gap and better support all mums and dads to be able make the choices that are right for them and their children.”
