10 thoughts on “Would you like to join the 50:50 Group?”

  1. You have hit the nail on the head, Ann.
    Men will not fight to spend time with their children until they are prevented from doing so after separation. Then it is too late and any dispute that ends up in court is covered by the “In Camera” rule and so they are forbidden from publishing the cruelty they have endured.
    Fathers actually in the Dáil spend very little time with their children and so neither appreciates their own children or the difficulties separated fathers face.
    For example, Bertie Ahern, a separated father who served as the second longest Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008 did ABSOLOUTELY NOTHING foe separated fathers.

  2. I am amazed that the fathers in the Dáil have not rebelled against the unfriendly family structures in the Irish political system – why do Irish men not take to the streets fighting for the legal right to take paternity leave? I believe it is because Irish men are still very much socialised into thinking that they cannot care for children and still believe that mothers do it better. This will have to change and we need to start as early as at pre-school level in order to deconstruct these traditional gendered roles.

  3. Well done – yes I would be very interested in joining the 50/50 group.
    Candidate for Fine Gael in Dublin South West. Currently County Councillor South Dublin County Council.
    Cáit

  4. Equality in the workplace (including the Dail) will only be achieved when equality at home occurs. The greatest preventative aspect of equality in any situation is childcare. As long as women continue to take on this responsibility without requiring their other half to act as a “Partner” then the so-called glass ceiling will remain.

    Check out http://www.tv3.ie/videos.php?video=30984&locID=1.65.169&date=2011-01-07&date_mode=&page=2&show_cal=&newspanel=&showspanel=&web_only=&full_episodes=

  7. I know that there is a momentum in the UK behind getting 5050 women in all UK parliaments by 2018, the official centenary women’s franchise (well, for women of property and over 30 at any rate…)

  9. Natalie, Thanks very much for getting in touch. It’s really encouraging that you’re keen to get involved. We can do with all the support we can muster.
    Your knowledge & research will be invaluable because we can use it to strengthen our case for change and we’re particularly keen on enthusiastic members!

    I’ll email you separately to put you in touch with people in Dublin who are setting up a branch there – ok?

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