The Government has vowed to address the needs of vulnerable fathers in Ireland after a study revealed the lack of support given to them in modern society.
Speaking at the publication of the Strengthening of Families through fathers' report, Minister for Social and Family AffairsMr Brennan, heralded the report as a "valuable contribution to broadening our understanding of the role of fathers in an ever changing and challenging society.
"The findings make it clear that we should re-examine our attitudes to some fathers and their role in the family", he continued. "It is highlighted in this report that vulnerable fathers love their children just as much as other parents.
"We should be putting in place means by which young men are encouraged to get involved with their partner and child, not deterrents to prevent them becoming a part oft heir child's life," added the Minister.
The report, which was commissioned by the Department and the Family Support Agency, was carried out by Prof Harry Ferguson, of the University of the West of England, and Mr Fergus Hogan of Waterford Institute of Technology.
The report collated varying opinions within the family unit, and support units, of the role of modern fathers, and interviewed 24 fathers, 10 mothers, 11 children and 19 social workers.
It found that fathers are extremely frustrated, and often angry, at the way they are overlooked by support agencies and family courts, and that the perception of the father is often mistakenly one of a "macho", uncaring figure.
Mr Hogan today urged agencies to promote active fatherhood by including the father, as long as it is safe to do so, no matter what his status. He also called on the Minister to introduce paid paternity leave and address legal reforms to recognise diversity in the problems experienced by vulnerable fathers and their families.
The report highlights the concerning attitudes held by some social workers regarding fathers. Some claimed men are difficult or dangerous, that there was enough work to be done with the mothers and that there needs to be obvious benefits to working with men.
These perceptions are often not helped by the attitudes of men themselves. As the report points out, men regularly suffer in silence in a state of "invulnerable masculinity", which requires services to work through "macho fixations" and connect with men's "soft spots", to retain their input into family process.
