Talk to explore the shifting ideals of fatherhood

Sep 11, 2003

Dr Michael Flood will give a talk titled "Backlash: Angry men's movements and the reconstruction of fathering" at the University today as part of The Institute of Social Change & Critical Inquiry (ISCCI) Speaker Series.

The talk will take place in the Faculty of Arts Meeting Room (19.2061) from 4:30-5:30pm.

This paper maps the shifting social, cultural and economic conditions which inform the contemporary re-working of fathering discourse and practice. It assesses the common claims that divorce and separation represent disastrous outcomes for children and particularly that the "best interests of the (male) child" are protected most by the presence of a biological father as "male role model."

The paper outlines the character and agendas of the men's rights and fathers' rights groups influencing both media narratives and family law (including the current government inquiry into child custody arrangements following family separation). It evaluates proposed legal interventions ostensibly aimed at encouraging shared parenting and fathers' ongoing involvement with their children, and briefly offers an alternative framework with which to support nurturant family and parenting processes.

Dr Flood is a Research Fellow at the Australia Institute, a public interest think-tank. He has also held positions as a Lecturer in Women's and Gender Studies at the Australian National University, and as the Sexual Health Promotion Coordinator at Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT. His research interests include men and masculinities, sexualities and especially male sexuality and heterosexuality, interpersonal violence, sexual and reproductive health, and boys and youth cultures. He has been involved in pro-feminist men's activism since 1987.

All welcome. Wine and cheese will be served following the talk.

For more information contact June Aspley at theInstitute of Social Change & Critical Inquiry (ISCCI) in the Faculty of Arts on 4221 5581 or via email: june@uow.edu.au

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128