The new system could be an opportunity to make a clear new cultural statement about fatherhood, with
higher expectations on their involvement — akin to the
expectation on mothers — in a way that would make it less acceptable
for fathers to drift out of their children's lives.
Specifically,
for fathers,
higher expectations about their children's educational level, and greater level / frequency of interest and direct involvement in children's learning, education and schools, are associated strongly with better educational outcomes
for their children, including: • better exam / test / class results •
higher level of educational qualification • greater progress at school • better attitudes towards school (e.g. enjoyment) •
higher educational
expectations • better behaviour at school (e.g. reduced risk of suspension or expulsion)(
for discussion / review of all this research, see Goldman, 2005).