Measures to Improve the Experience of Parenthood for Fathers

MONTREAL, June 11, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité (RVP) today unveiled a series of public policy proposals in order to offer Quebec fathers conditions that will allow them to experience fatherhood to the fullest. These proposals aim at reducing certain impediments that hinder the capacity of fathers to be involved with their children and family as much as they wish.

"Today's fathers wish to increase their involvement in their children's lives. They want to team up with their partner and take an active role in all aspects of parenting," says Raymond Villeneuve, director of the RVP. "However, several obstacles exist that make it hard for fatherhood to be recognized or valued as much as motherhood in Quebec society. That is why we are presenting a number of proposals, which in our opinion are necessary actions for the advent of a more equal parenting."i

5 Challenges, 5 Series of Measures for Fathers

In its series of proposals presented at the launching of the 2018 Quebec Fatherhood Week, the RVP identified five (5) issues that illustrate specific challenges faced by fathers who hope to experience parenting to the fullest.

• Preparing to be a parent – The experience of a father during pregnancy is different from that of the biological mother, and this must be taken into account in order to better prepare fathers for parenthood.
• Parental leave – Fathers don't take advantage as much as mothers of the Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), depriving them of precious time to develop a father-child bond in the first months of life.
• Family–work balance – It is often hard for fathers to take advantage of various measures favouring family–work balance without undergoing judgment or suffering prejudice.
• Family services and the realities of fatherhood – Fathers often have the impression that family services offered by the health and social services network, the education system, and the family sector aren't geared enough toward them.
• Family Law – The father-child bond can be weakened following a separation.

The proposed solutions include a revision of prenatal courses; the increase to 8 weeks of parental leave for fathers (instead of the current 5 weeks); the implementation of a campaign promoting equal parenting; support in the workplace, especially where it is predominantly male, for the adoption of better practices of family–work balance; clear ministerial instructions to adapt government services to the realities of fatherhood; better accessibility to the family justice system; and the adjustment of Family Law to meet new family realities.

The complete series of the RVP's proposals can be consulted here (in French): www.semainedelapaternite.org

Toward a More Affirmative Voice

These proposals coincide with the willingness of the RVP—which for the past 20 years has been heightening the awareness of institutional communities to the realities of fatherhood—to favour a more affirmative voice, in tune with the needs expressed by fathers themselves. "There is a willingness, especially from first-time fathers, to hear a more positive public message concerning fatherhood. A message that asserts that fathers have changed, that they are more involved in the lives of their children, and that they hope to experience their role as parents to the fullest," commented Diane Dubeau, president of the RVP.

2018 Quebec Fatherhood Week

In addition to the promotion of these proposals to improve the parental experience of fathers, the Quebec Fatherhood Week offers some 100 activities throughout Quebec celebrating the involvement of fathers in a friendly atmosphere, thanks notably to the participation of the 230 or so members of the Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité present in all regions of Quebec.

What's more, on Sunday, June 17, Father's Day, the special project "Dad Reaching High" will be held thanks to the partnership of Arbraska in seven (7) Quebec parks.

The complete list of activities during the Quebec Fatherhood Week is available here: www.semainedelapaternite.org

About the Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité (RVP)

The RVP is a collective of nearly 250 organizations and individuals from all regions of Quebec, whose mandate is to promote the family-centered involvement of fathers in the well-being of their children, respecting the principle of equality between women and men. The RVP also advocates the integration of the realities of fatherhood within Quebec family services and public policy.

www.rvpaternite.org 
Twitter.com/RVPaternite

SOURCE Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité

Or to arrange for an interview: Christian Bélanger, Communications Officer, [email protected], [phone]

Related Links

www.rvpaternite.org