LETTER : Fathers' long hours the real risk to family
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: While I agree with many of the points raised by Polly Toynbee in her response to the Panorama documentary on working mothers, I feel the programme did highlight the importance of ongoing parental support for school-age children.
Few would disagree with the strong evidence on the importance of pre- school nursery experience for young children, but it is much harder to determine the right approach as children become older.
As a part-time working mother, I always thought I would seek full-time work when our children started school. Yet now they are nearly nine and seven, I am increasingly conscious that I need to be around just as much to "talk about homework, what has gone on in the day" (Professor Margaret O'Brien).
I have always enjoyed working and must confess to some envy of successful career-orientated friends. But I now realise that getting the balance right for our family is more than just juggling career and pre-school- age children - it is clearly going to be going on for many years yet!
PHILIPPA CHAPMAN
Evershot, Dorset
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments