Working Fathers: Episode 4
In this episode, we look at more of the pressures that prevent fathers from being active and equal caregivers in their children’s lives. In particular, we look at the gender norms that dictate what it means to be a good man, and the social norms that dictate what it means to be a good worker – and ask what this means for fathers’ capacity to be more active caregivers in their children’s lives. We also look at the experiences of men who defy these norms, the policies that can help shift them, as well as some of the potential benefits of change for dads, partners and families.
Our guests in this episode are Dr Ashlee Borgkvist, Matt Tyler and Associate Professor Linda Barclay.
Dr Ashlee Borgkvist – University of South Australia
Currently working as a Research Associate within the Safe Relationships and Communities Research Group. My role includes survey development; data collection, management and analysis; literature reviews; report writing and editing; knowledge sharing.
Ashlee recently completed a PhD, which investigated fathers’ uptake of flexible working arrangements, gender, and workplace culture. In particular, she is interested in how work and care is managed within families and the role flexible working arrangements and workplaces play in those negotiations. Ashlee also has an interest in how gender intersects with health-related behaviours and criminology.
Explore more of Ashlee’s work:
- Ashlee Borgkvist, Vivienne Moore, Jaklin Eliott & Shona Crabb, “I Might Be a Bit of a Front Runner”: An Analysis of Men’s Uptake of Flexible Work Arrangements and Masculine Identity. Gender, Work and Organization 25.6 (2018): 703–717. DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12240
- Ashlee Borgkvist, “It Would Be Silly to Stop Now and Go Part-time“: Fathers and Flexible Working Arrangements in Australia. In Marc Grau Grau, Mireia las Heras Maestro & Hannah Riley Bowles (eds), Engaged Fatherhood for Men, Families and Gender Equality: Healthcare, Social Policy and Work Perspectives (231–243). Springer, 2022. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-75645-1_13
Matt Tyler – The Men’s Project, Jesuit Social Services
Matt Tyler is Executive Director of The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services, working with a team committed to providing leadership on the reduction of violence and other harmful behaviours prevalent among boys and men. He brings over 10 years of experience across the private, public, academic, and community sectors. He has particular expertise in improving social services including within child protection, family violence, criminal justice and mental health.
Twitter: @Matt_B_Tyler
Explore more of Matt’s work on the Menzies Leadership Forum.
Associate Professor Linda Barclay – Monash University
Linda Barclay is a political philosopher, with a primary focus on justice, equality and dignity. She has published extensively on the meaning and function of these ideals in relation to gender, multiculturalism and disability.
Explore more of Linda’s work:
- Linda Barclay, ‘Liberal Daddy Quotas: Why men Should Take Care of the Children, and How Liberals Can Get Them to Do It’, Hypatia, 28.1 (2013): 163–178, DOI: 10.1111/j.1527-2001.2011.01255.x
The transcript for Episode 4, including links to articles and reports, can be found here.