BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – In many cases men’s supportive role within the family must be revisited, according to Director of the Department of Gender Affairs, Mrs. Celia Christopher.

According to the United Nations’ (UN) Economic and Social Affairs ‘Men in Families’ document, it explains that a lack of men’s involvement in domestic work and childcare is what perpetuates income inequalities between men and women.

“Financial support of children is only one aspect of support within the family and that it takes more than that to raise a child,” explained Mrs. Christopher. “Men have to prepare themselves to take on the role that women normally take on because women are now in the workplace with them.”

According to the UN’s Economic and Social Affairs ‘Men in Families’ document, there is a move toward smaller families and increased participation by some men in the lives of children.

“Men need to get more involved with their respective families, but she is optimistic that change will occur,” said Mrs. Christopher.

Data from the UN suggests that men’s role in families has dropped due to increases in marital dissolution leading to increased separation.

It says that because mothers are more likely to obtain full custody of their children, in cases of separation or divorce, these trends mean that a larger proportion of children spend time away or live apart from their biological fathers than in the past.

“As a means to bridge the gender equality gap, men’s involvement within the family needs to change, taking over some of the workloads from the women,” concludes Mrs. Christopher.

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