BOY OH BOY: Nicholas, 11, and Jackson, 6, are grateful their dad Glyn Jones is among a smal group of Griffith fathers who take an active role in their children’s care. Picture: Anthony Stipo
THEY might not realise it, but Nicholas and Jackson are among the luckiest boys in Griffith because they have Glyn Jones as a dad.
According to the latest census figures, Mr Jones is among a growing trend of fathers who are taking a more active role in raising their children.
Nineteen per cent of Griffith men take care of their kids, slightly up on the 2006 census figure of 18.5 per cent, and well ahead of the state average of 17.5 per cent.
But Mr Jones is also among a tiny minority of Griffith families who have a sole parent – just 1.8 per cent.
While Mr Jones said it was a hard to be both father and mother to his boys, he wanted them to have the best childhood possible.
“I just want them to be happy,” he said. “I had a hard childhood growing up and my father never kissed me or showed me any affection. So every day I make sure I tell my kids I love them.”
Life certainly hasn’t been easy for the Yenda parent, but Mr Jones said his boys make it all worthwhile.
“They keep me on my toes,” he said.
“Some days it’s hard, and some days it’s lonely but they’re good kids and I just want them to have a good childhood.”
While women provide the majority of childcare in Griffith, Mr Jones said he never understood why men took such a backseat in parenting.
“If you have kids why not be a part of their life and take care of them?
“If I didn’t have them I don’t know what I’d do.”
