Being a father simply isn’t what it used to be!

Sept. 19, 2012 - PRLog -- On 19 June, the most powerful man in the world, President Barack Obama said: “I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence – both in my life and in the lives of others”, and through the office of the White House and the American “Promoting Responsible Fatherhood” initiative, recognised that “being a dad is one of the most important jobs a man can have”.

Dr Katy Graley, Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management at Hull University Business School, will be leading a seminar on 3 October at the Scarborough Management Centre to present some of her findings and to pose the question “how does fatherhood intersect with work and organisation?”

Not too long ago, the terms ‘father’ and ‘breadwinner’ were synonymous. However, the entire nature of fatherhood is changing, with more dual earning couples, an increase in divorce, step-parenting and same-sex couples becoming parents all eroding the once traditional decades-old expectations of parenthood – from both the father’s and mother’s point of view.

In the course of her research, Katy has taken a rounded view that sees the economic environment, although dictating more flexibility, nevertheless sees increased pressures for workers to achieve ‘more with less’. The rise in the service economy and an associated move towards more knowledge-based practices has seen traditional ‘masculine’ roles being replaced by anyone’s ability to work anywhere and at anytime.

During the seminar, and as background into her interest in the subject, Katy will also present a brief overview of her previous research into fatherhood. Initially, she asked the broad question, 'how do fathers balance work and family life?', following this up by looking into how fathers experience home-based work as a possible means to this end.

For further details please email Dr Katy Graley on K.Graley@hull.ac.uk or, if you would like to reserve a place on this seminar, please reply to t.tate@hull.ac.uk by Monday 1 October


ENDS

For more information, for further details following the seminar, or to arrange an interview with Katy, please contact Ed Moss, Press Officer, Hull University Business School, edward.moss@hull.ac.uk or phone +44 (0) 1482 463335.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Date of event
Wednesday 3 October 2012 at 2.15 pm

Venue
Boardroom, Scarborough Management Centre, Scarborough Campus