The group called for fathers to be reinstated in parenting guidance

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The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has hit out at NHS documents which have replaced "fathers" in their antenatal guidelines with "birthing partners". The concerns have been raised as the think-tank published a report which reveals that seven out of 10 fathers say they are made to feel like "a spare part" during the pregnancy period. Meanwhile there are fears that absent fathers or a lack of a father figure is the biggest problem, causing anti-social behaviour and even criminality in children and teenagers.

Last night the NHS dismissed claims that it is pushing away fathers, citing examples of hundreds of mentions on different websites. However the CSJ highlighted one NHS website headlined "your pregnancy and baby guide" listing the word "father" once as one of the options for a "birthing partner", along with "a close friend, partner, or a relative". The think-tank said it was an example of a growing trend and noted that the term “birthing partner” – the person who supports the mother in the delivery room – is used 14 times. In its report for the Nuffield Foundation, The Fatherhood Institute has also highlighted the habit of removing the “father” reference in NHS clinics. It noted: “At the time of the birth, 95 per cent of parents are in a couple relationship, and 95 per cent register the birth together. “For a woman to have a new partner at this stage is almost unheard of; and only one birth in a thousand is registered to two women. “Yet despite the overwhelming presence of the biological father, the term ‘woman’s partner’ or ‘mother’s partner’ is commonly used in maternity services. This defines the baby’s father solely as a support person and does not recognise his unique connections (both genetic and social) to his infant.”

The NHS dismissed claims that it is pushing away fathers

The move has followed pressure to give equal status to lesbian couples having children and transgender parents, along with an attempt to not offend single mothers or women who have changed their partner since pregnancy began. The CSJ report is based on a survey of 1,000 fathers that found six out of 10 said they had no conversations with a midwife about their role. Previous CSJ research has also shown the poorest fathers are the most likely to be alienated from their infants. Thirty-one per cent of fathers on the lowest incomes attend parenting or ante-natal classes, compared with 71 per cent of the highest earners. Fifty-five per cent of low-earning fathers told the CSJ survey they were left to “pick it up themselves” as opposed to 29 per cent of higher-income men. Meanwhile, half of all children are no longer living with both parents by their 15th birthday – but 50 per cent of the poorest children have already seen their parents split up by the time they start primary school.

Half of all children are no longer living with both parents by their 15th birthday

The more fathers are involved from the very outset, the better for the child’s future Andy Cook

CSJ chief executive Andy Cook said: “We are in danger as a society of telling fathers they don’t matter – that they are a dispensable extra for children. “That could not be further from the truth. Fathers form a crucial pillar in their child’s lives. The more fathers are involved from the very outset, the better for the child’s future. “Regular contact with a father figure boosts children’s self-esteem and cognitive skills, including reasoning and language development.” Mr Cook said children in low income households had “significantly improved” chances of escaping poverty with an active father figure at home. He said: “The evidence is overwhelming that marriage remains by far the best structure to ensure a family stays together. Married couples are nearly three times more likely to still be together by the time their child reaches 15 than unmarried couples.”

The move has followed pressure to give equal status to lesbian couples having children