“Taking care of children cannot affect fathers’ manfulness" (video)
Both in Swedish and Armenian families dads not only earn means for living, but they also take care of children, educate and feed their babies.
The photo exhibition entitled “Armenian dads and Swedish dads” opened in Yerevan Metro “Republic Square” station is on this topic. 18 heroes are from Armenia, 25 from Sweden. The exhibition will be open until July 8.
Martin Fredriksson, Charge d’ affaires of the Embassy of Sweden in Yerevan, says, “In Sweden family is under state care. There is a law, when a child is born, the family is given 480 days’ paid vacation and both parents can use that privilege.”
According to the words of Swedish diplomat, both in Europe and Armenia women do not want to have children so that their career isn’t damaged. But if there is solidarity and mutual understanding in the family, that problem will be easily solved, “Taking care of children cannot affect fathers’ manfulness. Career of the dads depicted in these photos hasn’t been affected. They were able to combine family and work,” added Martin Fredriksson.
Photographer Areg Balayan shot Armenian men and their children.
The author of Swedish stories is Johan Bävman. He has started his research long ago to understand what it gave to Swedish dads, “I used photos of dads and children in everyday situations and conversations with dads, aiming to draw attention at dads, who put their children and families ahead of work and career,” says Johan Bävman.
Swedish Dads project has been exhibited around the world and has been even issued in the form of a book.
