David Cameron says we should stigmatise

[emmie]

feckless fathers, those who run off and leave the woman to get on with it. Do you agree?

[emmie]

is he right, i think he has a point, but wonder if this is another idea that some do not believe.

[sandyRoe]

Some of them would probably view it as a badge of honour.

[Sqad]

Well, I am a little confused........it WAS a stigma in the 50's and 60's but "society " destigmatised it.........do you suppose "society" got it wrong ?

[sandyRoe]

Weren't the fathers seen as 'Jack the Lads' and the mothers as no better than they should be?

[sandyRoe]

Back in the 50's, I mean.^^^

[RATTER15]

Depends what he means by "Fathers" does he mean a man that got a Woman pregnant and not sticking around or a husband and Father leaving his family?

[Sqad]

sandy....a hint perhaps.....a hint of truth.

[sandyRoe]

Agree with Ratter15. A marriage can break down...

[emmie]

agree that marriages can break down, i think he is looking at men who get a girl pregnant, i know that it takes two to tango, but then do a runner when they find out, or don't work, so won't support the child. Like that feckless git who has sired a dozen or more, with different women, though why the girls would look at the little weasel i don't know.

[boxtops]

I can see his point for those fathers who contribute not a penny to their child's costs, that they should do so. He says too that the father should be involved in the child's upbringing - easier said that done if both parents have moved on, surely. He talked about the dads going to nativity plays etc - I'd be more keen to see some kids with positive role models than just turning up at school events.

[woofgang]

And what shall we do about the mothers who run away or will have nothing to do with the fathers?

[emmie]

i believe his comments were set at men, but women who run off and leave their children, are as bad, there should be better laws that protect fathers who do want access, to their children and can't get it, and if the woman won't grant it then she should be prosecuted. To not move the children more than a few miles from the father.
The exception would be if the man has proven to be violent to both the woman and the children, if he wants access it has to be through a third party. no one said the PM had all the answers but he has many valid points, not least that the state is picking up the tab for parents who dump their responsibilities, through welfare, social services, who are often the ones picking up the pieces.