Nine out of every 10 fathers feel responsible for the souls of their children, research commissioned by the Church of England has revealed. More than eight out of 10 mothers feel the same responsibility. By age, those feeling most responsible were people aged from 25 to 34 years, according to the survey.
Some 84 per cent of men and women, with or without children, agreed with the statement that they, as parents, were responsible for the spiritual care of their child and 68 per cent strongly agree. Men with children in the household were even more likely to agree. Where there are children in the household 88 per cent of men compared to 82 per cent of women were likely to agree.
The research, carried out by ICM Research, showed some variation by age with 78 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds agreeing with the statement compared with 88 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds and 84 per cent of those over 65.
Men from the North of England took the most responsibility for the spiritual care of their children with 91 per cent agreeing it was their responsibility as a parent. This compared with 81 per cent in the South East, 85 per cent in the Midlands, 79 per cent in Wales and the South West and 82 per cent in Scotland.
Now the Church of England, the Mothers’ Union and the FLAME Network (Family Life and Marriage Education), have produced a pocket-sized card that will be given to fathers having their baby baptised.
