Does The Workplace Support Fathers?

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by Lamar Tyler | on July 28th, 2008 | 5 comments

A while back when TheMom was pregnant I wrote about how jobs have no love for dads because a lot of them don’t offer any type of leave when you have a child (other than burning your vacation), they only do that for women.

Well I was reading a book about fatherhood and it covered a topic that got me to thinking. There was a situation (real life) where a man told his boss he needed to leave at noon because his son was ill and his boss replied, “Why can’t your wife do that?” The father explained that the child was his too and that it was his turn.

I would think that this way of thinking is more common than some may realize and it’s sad. In the past I’ve felt that a boss has wanted to say something along those lines but knew better because you better believe with TheDad family comes first.

BMWK family, have you ever experienced this, do you think it’s a normal way of thinking for male bosses in the workforce? Do you think this is old school and no longer around?

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (5)

rawdawgbuffalo Monday - 28 / 07 / 2008 Reply

i cant say, i had a phd and was a professor, and had my kids wityh me in my office and class room but it does when u work for yourself rawdawgbuffalos last blog post..Our America aint black or white – it’s green
TheMom Monday - 28 / 07 / 2008 Reply

I don't think the workplace supports fathers or mothers right now. The expectation now is that you work more hours with less pay.
Anna Monday - 28 / 07 / 2008 Reply

I think it depends on where you work . I am the only employee so if I am not happy the guy who pays my salary will not be happy. My kids come first. I do think it's unfair that woman get more kid time(sympathy) than a man.
Yolanda Monday - 28 / 07 / 2008 Reply

Thankfully my husband's company is very supportive- gives multiple weeks of paternity leave, works with fathers who need to carpool kids, etc. but I think they are more the exception than the norm. I agree with TheMom in that the majority of workplaces are not supportive of Dads or Moms. Yolandas last blog post..Here Comes the Shoes
Ebony Thursday - 31 / 07 / 2008 Reply

For four years both my husband and I were in the military, however now I am a civilian. Now and even when we were both military my husband has more flexibility when it comes to his job and parenting responsibilities. He has taken them to more doctor's appointments (I have always worked in the clinic, and still had trouble breaking away and getting to the appointments) and he has been at more functions for them than I have. I must be blessed because he has always carried the load in these situations. I believe its because he has the attitude that his kids come first and he has no problem letting his supervisors know.