Allsopp says leave for fathers is ‘pointless’

Published on 14/10/2012 02:02

TELEVISION presenter Kirstie Allsopp has stepped into the gender war by claiming that paternity leave is “pointless” as most new fathers spend their time “sitting in the shed” 
instead of helping out with the new baby.

Allsopp, the co-host of Channel 4’s property show Location,
Location, Location, said that extended leave for fathers was not the feminist triumph it was claimed to be.

In an interview, Allsopp said: “That thing of wanting to be seen to be at home with the baby when you’re not going to change a nappy at any stage is a bit pointless. Although many men I know absolutely love it because they can go and sit in the shed.”

The presenter, 41, who is married with two children, also criticised women who said that because they had been looking after the baby all week, their partners could take over at the weekend.

”I have friends who have made their husbands sit up at night as they feed the baby. Now, what is the point of making the other person in your life tired? Tiredness is a way to torture people, so this is not a feminist triumph. Neither is paternity leave,” she added.