We need to stop demonising dads
Fathers are often viewed as unnecessary or even toxic.
During the closing stages of the Conservative Party leadership race, Rishi Sunak was asked about the ‘greatest sacrifice’ he has had to make to reach his position in politics. His answer: he has been ‘an appalling husband and father for the past couple of years’. Strangely, these remarks didn’t draw much comment. Reveal your unfamiliarity with the McDonald’s breakfast menu, as Sunak did last month, and the nation recoils in horror. Admit you’ve been a useless dad and there’s not so much as an eye roll.
Imagine if Liz Truss had made a similar quip. At the very least, we would have been treated to more commentary. There would have been earnest debates about the expectations of women in public life alongside first-hand accounts of the difficulties women face trying to juggle motherhood and careers.
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During the closing stages of the Conservative Party leadership race, Rishi Sunak was asked about the ‘greatest sacrifice’ he has had to make to reach his position in politics. His answer: he has been ‘an appalling husband and father for the past couple of years’. Strangely, these remarks didn’t draw much comment. Reveal your unfamiliarity with the McDonald’s breakfast menu, as Sunak did last month, and the nation recoils in horror. Admit you’ve been a useless dad and there’s not so much as an eye roll.
Imagine if Liz Truss had made a similar quip. At the very least, we would have been treated to more commentary. There would have been earnest debates about the expectations of women in public life alongside first-hand accounts of the difficulties women face trying to juggle motherhood and careers.
On one level, you could say Sunak’s comment passed without outrage partly because the nation had by then stopped listening to him – so slight were his chances of becoming PM. Besides, everyone knows his two young daughters will be absolutely fine with their four homes, swimming pool and private educations. But it also escaped censure because it taps into a well-established narrative that dads are, at best, just a bit unnecessary. They are nice to have around once in a while, but in no way essential. Sadly, this way of thinking is having a significant impact on life in Britain today.