Relationships Foundation again highlights that the Government is still pushing ahead with the Big Society agenda without its most important element – families (as was also the case with the Prime Minister’s big speech about the Big Society on July 19th where Family didn’t get mentioned even once!).
RF spokesman, Peter Lynas, was quoted in a Daily Telegraph article by Nick Collins about a new study by Dr Catherine Hakim, a sociologist at the LSE, on how social policy and fiscal policy recognise unpaid family work.
Dr Hakin found that ‘only 14 per cent of women in Britain prefer a work-centred lifestyle, compared with 69 per cent who would rather combine work and family life, and 17 per cent who feel the home is more important. In spite of this, government policies across Europe tend to be aimed at full-time worker carers and ignore unpaid work.’
She added: “One-sided policies that support employment and careers but ignore the productive work done in the family are, in effect, endorsing market place values over family values.
“Furthermore, there is evidence that men are beginning to demand the same options and choices as women, with more claims of sex discrimination from men. Policy-makers need to be aiming for gender-neutral policies.”
Peter Lynas commented: “Whether it’s paid or unpaid work, men and women are under pressure to spend time with their families. This report shows that the majority want to combine work and family, but many need help to do so.
“The Government is pushing ahead with the ‘Big Society’ agenda without families, which should be the most important element.”
For more information please contact: Peter Lynas:
p.lynas@relationshipsfoundation-org.stackstaging.com
01223 341286