This is a talking point published in the Hereford Times on October 10.

Lola Cook, student

IN many conversations that I have had with men about feminism, the idea that patriarchy negatively impacts men too is not always well received.

In pursuit of equality of the sexes, feminism alleviates men of the toxic, stereotypical constraints that they are bound to by patriarchy.

An incredible demonstration of this was the recent campaign by the Dad Shift. Calling on the Government for better paternity leave options in the UK, campaigners tied model babies in slings onto male statues around central London.

With the UK having the worst ranked paternity options in Europe, the Dad Shift aimed to raise awareness about the importance of father-baby bonding and the extent of damage that such a poor paternity policy has.

The UK’s paternity offer is two statuary weeks of leave at £184.03 a week. With this offer in place many families struggle financially after having these two weeks off and a third of fathers take no paternity leave at all.

Poor paternity options directly create a huge strain on mothers but simultaneously devalue men’s role as a father.

The Dad Shift commented: “There’s such an imbalance in our portrayal and understanding of figures in public life. Women are often asked questions about their lives as wives, mothers and daughters, while male figures in public life are often not invited to share that part of themselves.”

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A high-quality paternity scheme invites fathers to nurture this side of themselves and also sends the message that the role of being a present father is so deeply important. 

This example clarifies the intrinsic link between better opportunity for women and removing toxic burdens for men.

The result of patriarchy is that is limits people to their gender, constrained to what men and women must or should do. 

Revolutionising gender-related policy such as paternity leave to match 21st century roles of mothers and fathers is a step towards dismantling restrictive views on gender.