The role of men in raising children continues to be seen, many times, from a different perspective than that of mothers. They are the ones who mostly take care of the children, and when a father does, it is often said that it “helps”, instead of saying that it is also his responsibility and that he enjoys spending time with his children as much as the mother.
The 35-year-old actress Keira Knightley, very active in the feminine claim and mother of two daughters – Edie, 5 years old and Delilah, one year old-, speaks clearly in an interview with HelloGiggles about co- responsibility in the care of children.
“It’s very rare to see a boy in the nursery, and if you see him, people say, ‘Oh, what a lovely father. Look at him taking care of his own children.’ You would never say that to a woman.”
Knightley thinks that many times it is women themselves who contribute to that idea , when they praise men for “fathers”, while mothers are expected to do so all the time. Without a doubt, it is a self-criticism that we should do and not see as something commendable for a parent to pick up their child at daycare, take them to the pediatrician or attend a school meeting.
When talking about work-life balance, he also sees a big difference. When asked how she balances her professional career with motherhood, she acknowledges that as a mother she suffers from “absolutely constant guilt” when she is away from her children, but focuses the question on a different one: why aren’t men asked that? ?
“ Why don’t we involve the men in that conversation?” Knightley asks. Why don’t we expect a worker to take care of their children as much as their partner? Why do we assume that parents don’t feel guilty about not spending enough time with their children as well? “
Fortunately, it is something that little by little is changing to make it more egalitarian. Today’s parents spend three times more time with their children, compared to previous generations. They are becoming more and more actively involved in caring for their children, but the whole of society needs to support this change so that man can enjoy full and equitable fatherhood.
Via | Today
Photo | Gtres
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