Leeds Trinity University, The County Councils Network, Leeds City Council, and DaddiLife have produced new research into the lives of young fathers.
In 2020 we partnered with Leeds Trinity University and Leeds City Council to look at an underrepresented group when it came to modern day dads; young fathers. In our report New Pathways for Young Fathers, we found that while this was a group that wanted to be fully involved fathers, they also faced a number of unique challenges - in education, employment, and healthcare - and that a new pathway was needed for this group of men.
Following the success of that research, including an opportunity to present the findings to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, the research team have come back together, alongside The County Councils Network to create our new research - Connected Young Fatherhood - to look more deeply into this group of fathers, their employment since the Covid pandemic, and the differences in urban and rural settings.
Interviewing Young Fathers
We spoke to 25 young fathers who we defined as under the age of 25 at the time of the first pregnancy or birth. Young fathers spoke to our researchers via online or telephone interviews which were one-to-one.
We also interviewed 15 professionals from the family and fathers' sector and 6 employers, using online focus groups.
There were a few scans that I missed, but that’s because they absolutely begged me not to go. I felt miserable about it. But there wasn’t anything I could do. I felt like I was on the verge of losing my job at that time, so I have to bend my knee and it’s like ‘yes sir, of course sir, I’ll come in sir, absolutely. (Logan, age 22)
Key findings for young fathers
Based on the findings of this report, we have provided key recommendations for national and local policy makers, professionals and services who support young fathers, and employers:
There’s a reason I didn’t go into a risky job, or a risky career. Obviously having a family is a big thing. You don’t want to go into something that’s risky and then not be able to provide for your family. (Mark, aged 33)
For a more detailed Experience of professionals and services by young fathers, you can also download the County Council Network’s Summary report here.
For Briefing Paper 1 - Young Fathers' Perspectives - click here.
For Briefing Paper 2 - Professionals' Perspectives - click here.
For Briefing Paper 3 - Employers' Perspectives - click here.
For our written submission to the Public Accounts committee - click here.
Testimonials
Andrew Gynne - MP and Chair of the APPG on Fatherhood
Young fatherhood is a really important issue, and something which is very close to my heart. Dads are now rightly expected to get much more involved in parenting, and with the advent of home working during the pandemic, many dads have been able to spend a lot more valuable time with their kids. Equal parenting is good for dads, good for kids, and good for women and gender parity. Learning more about fatherhood through research projects is vital in helping policymakers make informed decisions.
Alison Hadley OBE - Director Teenage Pregnancy Knowledge Exchange, University of Bedfordshire
This research builds on the excellent New Pathways for Young Fathers study. It provides further insight into what helps and hinders young fathers achieve their ambition of being the best dad they can be, a supportive partner, and securing stable, fulfilling, decently paid employment. Importantly the study focuses on two new important aspects: the different experiences of young fathers in rural and urban areas, and the impact of the pandemic which we know has increased poverty and taken a toll on mental health. The findings have important implications for all policies aimed at reducing inequalities.
Carmen Clayton - Professor, Institute of Childhood and Education at Leeds Trinity University
It was a real honour and privilege to speak to the young fathers who were involved in this research project and to hear their views on employment and family lives. The interviews have not only revealed how committed the young men are as fathers, but also their high aspirations around work and future careers. However, it was striking that many of the young fathers had faced unfair discrimination, unequal treatment, and other inequalities in the workplace, due to their young age or parenting role. Such issues need to be urgently addressed as our research has shown the knock-on impact that these experiences can have on the young men themselves, their progression opportunities, and their family lives.
Kerry Fletcher - PHD student at Leeds Trinity University.
I've really enjoyed being involved in this research. It was great to hear the different perspectives of the young fathers, professionals and employers involved. I'm hoping that the findings of this research will be a real catalyst for discussion and change in how we think about and support young fathers.
Jonathan Rallings - Senior Policy Advisor at the Country Councils Network.
CCN has been delighted to support this important research spotlighting an issue that is too often overlooked and forgotten. The experience has helped our member authorities to share good practice they are already conducting and highlight the importance of Government giving councils the resources they need to help level up the experience of families in rural and urban areas alike.
