Two crucial implications arise from two new approaches to fathering. Firstly, we might perhaps learn to talk about the father of whatever-sex. In finding out what fathers do actually do, or can do that is life-affirming and life related beyond the 'moral presence', we would gain a pool of information for women who bring up children alone or with other women. Anatomy would cease to determine destiny. Fathering doesn't come naturally to men, along with penises and stubble-it has to be learned and every new father finds there are rules in our society about how to do it.
Fatherhood is a male masquerade.
The role of the male parent must be made more interesting and meaningful for our younger men. They have started to reject the dictatorial style of fathering-even if female partners are prepared to accept it. Nearly all social critics have explored what would happen if fathers were more active parents of very small children. There is an ordinary physical warmth which fathers can communicate to their daughters and sons. Firstly, in all the concern about child sexual abuse, we have forgotten about the positive aspects of a father's physical warmth.