‘Why do we undervalue fathers and overburden mothers?’ asks Anne Hathaway

In her powerful speech, Anne Hathaway acknowledged and expressed her debt to all the other women who paved the way so that others could shine. 

In 2017, actor Anne Hathaway marked International Women’s Day by bringing her experiences of motherhood to the fore. In her powerful speech, she also acknowledged and expressed her debt to all the other women who paved the way so that others could shine.

The United Nations global goodwill ambassador also spoke about how more unpaid leaves for mothers and none for fathers after parenthood deters equality. “American women are currently entitled to 12 weeks’ unpaid leave. American men are entitled to nothing. That information landed differently for me when, one week after my son’s birth I could barely walk, when I was getting to know a human who was completely dependent on my husband and I for everything, when I was dependent on my husband for most things, when we were relearning everything we thought we knew about our family and relationship. It landed differently,” she said, adding, “Somehow, we and every American parent were expected to be ‘back to normal’ in under three months. Without income.”

“The deeper into the issue of paid parental leave I go, the clearer I see the connection between persisting barriers to women’s full equality and empowerment, and the need to redefine and in some cases, destigmatise men’s role as caregivers. In other words, to liberate women, we need to liberate men,” she said.

“The assumption and common practice that women and girls look after the home and the family is a stubborn and very real stereotype that not only discriminates against women, but limits men’s participation and connection within the family and society. These limitations have broad-ranging and significant effects, for them and for children. We know this. So why do we continue to undervalue fathers and overburden mothers?”

“We need to help each other if we are going to grow,” the actor reminded.

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