NSW: Kids need Dads says father of the year

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2000
NSW: Kids need Dads says father of the year

New South Wales father of the year and good-parenting author STEVE BIDDULPH says choosing
to have a child without a father is like choosing to have a child without a leg.

The 44-year-old psychologist, who has sold more than a million books in Australia on
parenting, made the comments in relation to the national IVF debate after being awarded
the annual NSW Father's Day Council award in Sydney today.

The federal government is currently trying to push legislation through parliament aimed
at helping states ban single women and lesbians from IVF treatment.

Mr BIDDULPH, a father of two who's been likened to a cross between BILLY CONNOLLY and
Dr SPOCK, says Australian attitudes to fathering need to change.

He says people need to understand a man is more than just a "walking wallet" -- and
he's called for a 30-hour working week for men who are fathers.

Mr BIDDULPH, of Bellingen on the northern New South Wales coast, says society needs
to work harder to become more family friendly.

AAP RTV tdw/sb/nf/sub

KEYWORD: FATHER (SYDNEY)

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