The short version
- The men’s committee proposes, among other things, two-part parental leave and a flexible start to school to promote equality
- The committee wishes to extend the leave by four weeks, to be shared equally between the parents
- Other proposals are more practical teaching, the right to an apprenticeship and the recruitment of men into female-dominated occupations
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– We want a twofold division. In practice, an extension of parental leave, so that we will not take anything from the women. But men should get more, says the leader Claus Moxnes Jervell (63)63 years old, actually trained as a chef. For the past year and a half, he has led the government’s men’s committee. Previously, Jervell was subject director at the Equality and Discrimination Ombudsman with responsibility for working life. Works at Fellesforbundet (LO). Formerly head of the Oslo Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Association (which is now part of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions). Has also been a leader in Red Youth. in the government-appointed Men’s Committee for VG.
He delivers the proposal from the Men’s Committee to Minister for Equality Lubna Jaffery (Ap) on Wednesday afternoon.
The committee proposes to introduce a twofold division of parental leave, where each parent initially has an equal share of the joint period.
See the press conference directly at the top of this case.
Will replace three-part with two-part
This involves replacing the current division of three with a separate mother’s and father’s quota and a joint period.
Jervell believes that he has registered that leave after childbirth is an area that men and women are equally concerned about.
The committee proposes giving all fathers the right to two weeks’ paid leave upon childbirth. Today, parents are entitled to two weeks’ unpaid leave under the Working Environment Act.
Many employers also cover wages because it is tariff-tested, but not all.
In its report, the Men’s Committee proposes a total of 35 measures based on equality challenges that men face, and which contribute to exclusion and obstacles to an equal society.
– We propose to extend the leave by four weeks. The mothers keep their three weeks before giving birth. The rest of the leave will then be divided equally between the parents, with the option to transfer parts of the quota between the parents, says committee leader Claus Moxnes Jervell to VG the day before the proposal is delivered to the minister.
Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery (Ap) says that we still have many unsolved equality challenges between women and men.
She mentions that women are more often killed, and that men often earn more than women.
– But this is not what all men recognize. Because men are overrepresented in the suicide statistics. And they drop out of school more often. Not least, men live shorter than women, says Jaffery.
– I need boys and men to speak up. What challenges do you have, and what can we do for you?
She says that she hopes the Men’s Committee’s report can provide some answers to that.
Do not base yourself on women
The committee’s main message is that men’s challenges must be included much more strongly in equality policy.
– We cannot base ourselves on women. We must actually see the lives of men and boys. And if they come out badly, then we must be willing to use suitable measures – preferably some of the same equality measures as for women, says committee leader Jervell.
He disagrees with those who believe that various men’s committees have largely created long investigations without results.
– The men’s role committee, which Jens Stoltenberg led, proposed a father quota and extended parental leave. It took some time before it arrived. But Norway was the first to introduce a father quota – with great opposition from parts of the women’s movement. I believe that this measure may have been the most important equality measure for men ever.
– We men should not be secondary characters in parenthood. That is why we are now taking this further. Now, no one objects to men and women having equal value as carers.
Jervell has a number of well-known people with him in the Men’s Committee, including former football pro Brede Hangeland, musician and farmer Aasmund Nordstoga, doctor Wasim Zahid and former director Camilla Stoltenberg at the Institute of Public Health.
Member of the Men’s Committee, former football pro, now assistant coach at Norway’s national football team
The latter has previously advocated a more flexible start to school to accommodate boys who are not ready for school at the age of five or six.
This proposal is reinforced by the new Men’s Committee. The background is, among other things, that girls have better grades, – drop out of upper secondary school less often and take more higher education than boys.
Boys with a later school start
– We see that boys are often less prepared for school than girls. Research shows that when you were born in the year and gender affects maturity. We propose a flexible start to school, in practice that five- and six-year-olds can start school one year later. It can have a good effect for boys who mature later, says Jervell.
– Will those who postpone the start of school be able to keep their kindergarten place?
– Yes, a financial compensation scheme must be created for those who continue in kindergarten, replies the leader of the men’s committee.
Minister of Culture and Equality (Ap)
He reminds that all the proposals the committee is behind must go through more thorough investigation before the Minister for Equality and other elected representatives can possibly take them forward.
In addition, the committee proposes several measures to equalize gender differences in school, working life and health.
This includes, among other things, more practical and activity-based teaching, the right to an apprenticeship, gender points on admission and a 10-year initiative to recruit men into female-dominated professions.
– If public services are too one-sidedly composed of one gender, there is a danger that they will not reach the entire population in a good way, points out Claus Moxnes Jervell.
Some “gender differences”
- Men are in the majority among heavy drug abusers
- Men commit suicide more often
- Average life expectancy is shorter for men than for women
- Men are more often childless
- Men more often have occupations with high health risks
- Boys have poorer school performance than girls
- Boys drop out of upper secondary education more often
- Boys more often need special education
- Men are more often in prison
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The committee also recommends a review of men’s use – or non-use – of health services.
Men die to a greater extent – and earlier than women – from non-communicable diseases. In addition, men have a higher incidence of drug use, violence and suicide.
– We must have a more reliable health service adapted to men’s needs, says Jervell.
Among the proposals in men’s health are:
- Investigate a national screening program for prostate cancer.
- Making health services more accessible to boys and men.
– Thought I would have a sad life
– What is the best thing about being a man, does the leader of the men’s committee think?
– That’s being a man, after all. That’s what I am. I don’t know of any alternative. The strange thing is that I am a rather non-traditional man. I am gay, and have actually experienced a life that I never thought I would have when I was growing up. Then I thought I would have a sad life. And then I have experienced how positive the equality policy has been. So that I have been able to live a good life. There has been a big change, so I strongly believe that it is possible to change negative things.
– And the worst thing about being a man?
– That you are afraid of not being enough of a man. That you put a little restraint on yourself and are ashamed of aspects of yourself. Vulnerability, weakness, things that are completely natural in a person’s life. This with thinking that I must be a little too much strong. I think it might be the worst, answers Claus Moxnes Jervell.
The former men’s selections
The Male Role Committee (1986–1990):
- Led by Jens Stoltenberg (Ap), who was to “investigate changes in the role of men”, particularly related to men’s caring obligations.
- In their report, they proposed, among other things, extending parental leave to 18 months and a father’s quota of at least one third of the leave.
The men’s panel (2007–2008):
- In 2008, Minister for Children and Equality Karita Bekkemellem (Ap) set up a committee to discuss men’s living conditions in Norway.
- In their final document, they proposed, among other things, regular control of men’s health and a nationwide campaign to expand male ideals.
The Stoltenberg Committee (2017–2019):
- Camilla Stoltenberg at the Institute of Public Health, led a committee which, among other things, chart why boys on average do worse at school than girls.
- Among the measures they proposed were flexible school start and all-day school for 1st to 4th grade.
(Sources: Aftenposten and regjeringen.no)
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