Following a member's motion by John Mason MSP that received cross party support, the involvement of fathers in Scottish families will be debated in the Scottish Parliament on February 27th.

Mr Mason's motion comments on the welcome that Families Need Fathers Scotland gave to the emphasis on fathers in the recent National Parenting Strategy, and goes on to suggest that: "... that Glasgow and Scotland as a whole would benefit from a debate on the role of fathers and their rights and responsibilities."

The debate will take place on Wednesday 27th February after the 5pm decision time in the Scottish Parliament. 

Some FNFS members have already contacted their own MSPs to suggest issues that could be raised.

We look forward to a lively discussion about what the Scottish Government can do to make sure that children in separated families benefit from the involvement of both parents as well as grandparents and other relatives from both sides of their family.

Dads Rock is a new playgroup in Edinburgh for fathers and their children.  They are featured in an article in Scotland on Sunday by Children's Minister Aileen Campbell.

As well as enthusing about Dads Rock following her recent visit, Aileen restates the Scottish Government's aim to include fathers in their Parenting Strategy, commenting that:

"Dads these days increasingly tend to be a lot more “hands-on” in all aspects of their children’s lives.  My own personal ­experience reflects this, given that I’m lucky enough to enjoy huge support from my own husband when it comes to caring for and raising our wee one."

"We know dads have a significant influence on their children’s development from the early years through school and into adulthood, and that dads playing a part in their kids’ lives can have all sorts of positive benefits for the family and wider community. In short, it’s crucial as a society, that we truly value and support dads in the hugely important role that they have."

Her opinion piece mentions that the Scottish Government is supporting projects such as Families Need Fathers Scotland and Men in Childcare and confirms that the father's round table meetings will continue to meet as an advisory body on national policy.

Another welcome consequence of the Scottish Parenting Strategy is that the Welsh Government will now consider putting a similar emphasis on fathers in their forthcoming Parenting Strategy. 

John Mason MSPIf enough MSPs can be persuaded to sign a recent motion, the new Scottish National Parenting Strategy and its implications for separated fathers will be given a debate in the Scottish Parliament.

John Mason, the MSP for Shettleston has tabled a motion welcoming the publication of the Scottish Government’s national parenting strategy noting the comments from Families Need Fathers Scotland that we “welcome the emphasis on fathers in this new strategy, including fathers who live apart from their children”.

His motion suggests that Glasgow and Scotland as a whole would benefit from a debate on the role of fathers and their rights and responsibilities.  John Mason attended the Glasgow FNF meeting earlier this year and heard about the contact problems faced by many separated fathers.

Although the motion has already attracted support from over 20 MSPs, it will need signatures from all the parties to qualify for a debate.  Please ask your own MSP to consider signing - contact Ian Maxwell if you receive a response or need some help with this lobbying.

Aileen Campbell, Scotland's minister for children and young people, commented on Father's Day that many fathers feel unwelcome by schools and doctors’ surgeries.

In the run-up to a new national parenting strategy being unveiled in the autumn, Ms Campbell said fathers are often “cut out of the picture”.

She said: “Dads being fully involved in their children’s lives has all sorts of positive benefits for the wider family and community. However, we need to go further to ensure that as a society we truly value and support dads in the role that they play.

She continued: “As we celebrate Father’s Day, it’s a good time to reflect on what all this means for dads, because sometimes when we talk about parents, we tend to mean mums, and cut dads out of the picture. How does it feel to be a father in Scotland today?

“Many will ponder how different their experience is to that of their own fathers. Dads today tend to be a lot more hands on and there is a greater expectation they will be more actively involved in all aspects of their children’s lives.

FNF Scotland is submitting ideas about how the parenting strategy can also apply to separated parents.