We had a real problem here in the U.K. with dads being excluded from thought processes in social work. Sometimes if Mum couldn’t take care of the child, there’d be little or no attempt to house the child with Dad in the first instance - and sometimes Dad’s were told (wrongly) they couldn’t take their children out of foster care even if they weren’t the incapable parent and their parenting wasn’t under question.

Things are changing now, but it was a real uphill battle against the social norms ingrained in a largely female work force. It’s interesting to see men both absent themselves from responsibility and to have society do it for them. I have met plenty of men who would be excellent primary school teachers - but most won’t consider it.

Good article. In full agreement here, this needs to change.