The PeopleAlchemist Edit: change & transformation, business & lifestyle experimentation for TheWomanAlchemist

Isn't about time men stayed home? Indeed. However, following on from last week article (and many others on the subject such as "Where are we now with gender equality and women on boards?" and "Gender Equality Is The Unfinished Business of the 21st century"), we do know there is still a lot of work to be done. Companies have focused on increasing women on boards and actions they can take in that respect. But they have not looked at men and how to tackle the issue from that angle. We know that women tend to change the way they work after their first child. Men do not seem to. Enhanced paternity pay alongside maternity leave differs from company to company and from country to country, with Scandinavian countries leading the way.

TACKLING FAMILY PARADIGMS

"Albeit HR policies about discrimination, equal opportunities, paternity and parental leave are needed, if men do not take them up, they are just that - fancy pieces of paper. Men need to take up/opt for these opportunities. And they need to support their partner. It is easy to criticize "society", the government, your employer. And then ask for more laws to aid women. It is also easy to say "men should do more". Women need to take ownership too.

Isn't about time men stayed home? Indeed

And it all starts with you. Society is made of families and individuals. The change can happen and needs to start from your family and your partner taking up a fair share of childcare/household duties. Think of your family as a business with two main shareholders. The decisions made need to be for the best interest of the "business" unit. Moreover, not stifle ambitions and/or disadvantage either and/or both shareholders. Isn't about time men stayed home? Indeed. Too often, men request flexible working and or parental leave only and exclusively when their partner already earns more than they do. Far more rarely when they are on equal earning footing or thereabouts. This is where the discussion starts.

Firstly a discussion about your mutual ambition and shared responsibilities. Secondly, about potential support needed, in what forms and by whom" ( from "STOP IT! It is all in your head" ).

Of course, relationships do break up sometimes. But this does not nullify paternal responsibilities and accountabilities in raising children. And this is irrespective of how much you might dislike/hate/can’t stand your ex-partner and their new life. Yes, there might be fathers/parents who are unfit, although let’s consider this for argument sake to be an exception rather than the rule. This is the time to look inside your own relationship – I don’t want to cause breakups. Nevertheless, you know what needs doing here ... ;-) See you next time. Other articles I wrote on the subject:

• Achieving Gender Diversity in practice
• Achieving Gender Balance at work

I could go on and on about this subject ...