To mark the change, the Fatherhood Institute, previously known asFathers Direct, surveyed 1,000 adults for their views on fatherhood.
It found 95 per cent of men and women felt it was important for fathersto spend time caring for their children during their first two years, 78per cent said fathers who were present in a child's early years had agreat impact, and 80 per cent said fathers should feel able to requestflexible working.
Last week, minister for women Harriet Harman said that men and womenshould spend equal time working and raising children and that fathersshould demand flexible working hours.
The Fatherhood Institute will review research on child welfare anddevelopment in relation to fathers and lobby for changes to policy andpractice.
Director Duncan Fisher said, 'We have changed our name to something thatmore reflects what we actually do.'
He added, 'I feel that current Government policy towards fathers iswrong. For example, paternity leave is only two weeks, and when thematernity leave allowance rises from 39 weeks to 52 weeks we will havethe largest difference in the world between men and women in theirentitlements.'
The institute wants a shake-up of the parental leave system so thatfathers can spend more time with their children under two and moresupport for fathers from family professionals, such as health visitorsand teachers.
Further information:
www.fatherhoodinstitute.org.
