Fathers and non-birthing parents will take to the streets in protest for better paternity leave in a strike next month.
The Dad Strike will see parents ‘Picket or Pick Up’, picketing government buildings in London and Edinburgh, or collectively doing the school run on Wednesday 11 June between 3.00 and 4.30pm.
The protest is organised by the Dad Shift – an organisation campaigning for better paternity leave in the UK. It comes after recent studies reported rising rates of paternal postnatal depression,
Co-founder of the Dad Shift Alex Lloyd Hunter said: “The Dad Strike is a moment where we come together as parents to say ‘this isn’t good enough, we’re behind the rest of the world and we need change’.
“It’s a day where we make that noise together and hopefully it’s something the government will find hard to ignore.”
The research conducted by Whitestone, a member of the British Polling Council, interviewed 598 fathers aged 18-44 in April, finding 45% had experienced at least two symptoms of clinical anxiety or depression in their baby’s first year, a figure far higher than previous estimates.
The UK has the worst paternity leave in Europe, with dads entitled to a maximum of two weeks at less than half the minimum wage.
Lloyd Hunter says the Dad Strike is a moment to drive the change that is needed for all parents:
“There is a mismatch how we see ourselves as a country – as a forward-looking country that values fairness and equality – and then this policy that keeps people stuck in the 1950s.
“The research shows 82% of people across age, gender, and voting intention agree that it’s better when both parents have equal opportunity to be involved in childcare.
“What we have is not a problem of attitudes, it’s a problem of political inaction.”
The Dad Shift asked supporters, including 15 MPs, to take part in a demonstration that saw baby grows hung on washing lines in over 100 locations spelling out “Two weeks isn’t enough”.
MP for Bury North James Frith, who took part in the stunt, said: “New dads are being forced to choose between keeping the lights on and being there for their newborn. That’s not a real choice.
“If we want a better future, we need to back parents – and that starts with giving dads a fair deal from day one. Strong families build a stronger Britain.”
The campaign is backed by Movember, an organisation advocating for men’s mental health who support the call for government action on paternity leave.
Global Lead of Policy and Advocacy Amy O’Connor said: “Improved paternity leave can support fathers but also has a positive ripple effect across families and communities.
“We’re proud to support Dad Shift’s ground-breaking work. Movember urges the government to include new policies that support the health of fathers in the upcoming Men’s Health Strategy, including better-paid statutory paternity leave. Families can also help make this a reality by responding to the government’s call for evidence that’s open now.”
The Dad Strike will take place as the government embarks on a parental leave review this summer, an opportunity for change that Lloyd Hunter says is sorely needed.
“Policies have not changed since 2003, so this is a once in a generation chance to improve the situation of parents.
“Keir Starmer said it himself a few months ago: ‘You can’t grow the economy when parents have to choose between their children and work.’ There’s a recognition that it’s not working, what we need to do is encourage them to turn that into action.”
For more information or to join the Dad Strike visit the website.
Feature image: The Dad Shift
Graphics: Kate Relton
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