by Lorenzo Rossi
At the heart of British social and political debate is a highly topical issue: parental leave for fathers. A topic that is gaining attention thanks to an unusual campaign called “Dad Shift”, recently launched in the United Kingdom by a group of men determined to change the rules of the game.
The initiative has a specific goal: to obtain for fathers a leave comparable to that granted to mothers at the time of the birth of their children. At the heart of this battle, supporters of “Dad Shift” point the finger at the historic inequality between the sexes in terms of time and support offered to parents. And they do so with a creative form of protest, which has already attracted media attention: in several cities of the Kingdom, statues of illustrious men have been “adorned” with bundles containing baby-sized dolls.
The first incursions were concentrated in London, from Leicester Square – where the statue of the legendary dancer Gene Kelly stands – to Covent Garden, the scene of the majestic presence of Laurence Olivier, a Shakespearean icon. Even sports figures were not spared, such as Tony Adams and Thierry Henry, celebrated near the stadiums.
The provocation is clear: British culture celebrates great male figures, but when it comes to recognizing new fathers a period of leave worthy of the name, the system is among the most backward in Europe. Currently, fathers in the UK are entitled to a maximum of two weeks of unpaid leave, with a paltry subsidy of £184.03 a week. Numbers that, according to the promoters, not only do not take into account the economic challenges for families, but are also an affront to gender equality.
In this context, “Dad Shift” hopes to find a hearing in the recently elected Labour government of Keir Starmer. The promoters intend to send an open letter to the new executive, in the hope of prompting a reform that finally recognizes the role of fathers within the family unit.
There are also concerns about costs. In a time of austerity, with announced cuts to the public budget, the change may seem unrealistic. However, supporters of the campaign counter with data that show a positive effect in the medium term, particularly in countries that have introduced leave of at least six weeks for fathers. In these contexts, a reduced gender wage gap of 4% and a higher female participation in the labor market of 3.7% have been observed. Numbers that invite reflection.
“Dad Shift” is not just a question of individual rights, but it touches the heart of the debate on social equity and the future of family policies in Europe. If the United Kingdom decides to answer the call of these fathers, a new chapter in the history of the British welfare state could be born.