I was on my way to rant about the sure start policy in UK. Because of this quote:
"Looking at the effects of Sure Start nationally, the National Evaluation found that mothers in Sure Start program areas were more likely to treat their children in a warm and accepting manner than those in comparison areas" (Bovaird, 2007)
And I even had the line 'Sure start in to an engendered life' lined up.
But then I looked at the guidance of the Sure Start programme and found that they think it is
" important that the role of fathers is not overlooked. The vast majority of fathers – whether or not they live with their children day to day – have a crucial role to play in giving their children the best start in life. Their ongoing commitment, together with active interest and involvement in all aspects of their children’s life and development is really important in delivering better outcomes for their children."
And they are generally surprisingly gender neutral in their guidance, even swap the order of mothers and fathers in a very PC way.
Despite this, it is still possible to wonder, I think, whether the interpretation of Sure Start in the first quote say something about the authors gendered interpretation of the programme, something about the gendered evaluation of the programme or perhaps something about the uptake of the programme. Is it so that there, despite the good intentions of the Sure Start to be un-gendered (or perhaps sexist), that the programmes they offer are not appropriate for men? One of their volunteering schemes is to go in to maternity wards and promote breast feeding; Highly inappropriate for men to do.
There will be a follow up on this.
Also, I apologise for the change in language and highly academic tough on this post, but I'm essaying and I'm writing on one of the Uni computers, and without the full alphabet it is easier to wite in english.
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