Parents across Scotland are set to take part in the first ever Parent Strike later this month, demanding better flexible working hours and paternity leave. Mums, dads and supporters will gather in Glasgow and Edinburgh on Thursday, August 27, as thousands across the UK take part in the symbolic action.
Campaign groups and locations
The campaign is being held by Anna Whitehouse, also known as Mother Pukka and the founder of Flex Appeal, alongside dads' campaign group The Dad Shift.
In Scotland, parents, children and supporters will be joined by charities and parent groups, with the events organised by Dads Rock and supported by the Fathers Network, Pregnant Then Screwed Scotland, and Flexible Working Scotland. Those campaigning will gather in Edinburgh outside of Holyrood, while those in Glasgow will gather outside of the Duke of Wellington statue.
Demands and context
Campaigners are calling for flexible working to become the default, while demanding that statutory paternity leave is increased to six weeks at a minimum of 90 per cent pay. They also argue that these changes are necessary to make parenting sustainable in the modern world, when most parents are working full time and still struggling financially.
The call comes as the UK Government's parental leave review enters its final months. Campaigners say change is urgently needed, while the UK continues to experience a low birth rate and more people delay having children because of the cost of raising a family. They also warn that companies are weakening or removing flexible working arrangements that many employed parents rely on.
Poll findings and quotes
A poll done by The Dad Shift found that 90 per cent of parents believe having children is the most meaningful thing they will ever do, while 87 per cent said it is the most joyful. However, 60 per cent said the fear of financial insecurity puts them off having more children.
Lisa Holder, the director of Dads Rock, explained: "Children thrive when dads thrive, and a massive part of that is giving families a fair start. The current statutory two weeks of paternity leave is a barrier to bonding, a strain on maternal mental health, and completely out of touch with what modern families need."
She added: "The dads we support want to rock their babies to sleep, share the load at home, and support their partners. They are telling us they want and need more leave, and we are proud to stand with them on August 27 to demand the change they deserve."
Meanwhile Anna Whitehouse, the founder of Flex Appeal, states: "Lot's of people want to be parents but aren't, because we're living in a society that isn't helping parents to thrive. 74,000 mums are kicked out of work every year after having kids, and on top of this many parents have to give in and leave their jobs, or reduce their hours due to inflexible work."
She explained: "Enough really is enough. A generation ago women in Iceland downed tools for each other, for their families and for gender equality. We're doing the same, but this time with mums and dads together. It's time to make the changes that parents need to be able to thrive - we need to see flexible working introduced as default, not as a perk, and we need paternity leave to catch up with maternity leave to start to balance the parenting scales."
While the co-founder of The Dad Shift, George Gabriel, adds: "Parenting is meant to be hard, but it's not meant to be this hard. In just a few generations, the costs of raising kids have skyrocketed. Raising a family can't be allowed to become the preserve of the well off."
He continued: "We now need to see decisive action. The Government's parental leave review gives us a once-in-a-generation chance to finally sort this out, so we're encouraging everyone who cares about this issue to join us on 27th August for The Parent Strike in Edinburgh and across the UK."
Event details and impact
Organisers are urging parents, their children and anyone who supports the campaign to attend one of the events. Those taking part will carry and down toy tools, intended to symbolise the huge financial demands placed on families and the pressures facing parents in the workplace.
Campaigners say those pressures are contributing to people putting off having children, as the UK faces a continuing decline in birth rates. The Parent Strike aims to send a clear message to the government and employers that campaigners believe parents need greater flexibility, better-paid paternity leave and more support to balance work and family life.
