The MHH has a Father's Representative
The MHH has a Father's Representative!
As part of the “audit family-friendly university” action program, it was determined that the position of a Father's Representative would be a useful addition to the structures already established at our university. After advertising the position via the sections, a suitable candidate was found in Prof. Dr. Jens Dingemann. The position has been officially filled since January 1, 2020 and Prof. Dr. Dingemann has started his work.
The interface between the professional environment and family obligations can be a particular challenge for fathers. The new Fathers' Representative sees himself as a representative of the interests of “MHH fathers” from all professional groups and as a low-threshold contact and advisor on the subject of “becoming and being a father”, including in situations that need to be treated confidentially.
The counseling service is open to employees and students alike. Please make an appointment by emailing Vaeterbeauftragter@mh-hannover.de.
A flyer entitled "Fathers at Hannover Medical School" provides further information on the topic of fathers at Hannover Medical School and the services offered by the Father's Representative.
From December 2020 to June 2023, the research project “New ways to reconcile work, career, studies and family” was funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture as part of the “Support for fathers at the MHH”. During the two-and-a-half-year project period, a concept for better compatibility was developed and implemented as a pilot project at the MHH. In May 2021, an anonymous online survey was conducted among male employees and students on the topics of parental leave, leave of absence, modern fathers and active fatherhood. Through your participation, we can now exploit opportunities and potential together.
Another online survey entitled “You don't need to be superheroes - diverse living conditions of fathers” was conducted at TU Braunschweig in cooperation with Kiel University of Applied Sciences in 2021. The aim was to explore the views of fathers in Germany on fatherhood and family life, what they consider important for their children, what they expect from their environment, employers, and politics, and how they balance work and family commitments. You can find a link to the VAPRO survey here.
Do you feel addressed, are you interested in the topic, are you interested in working on it, do you have questions or would you simply like to make suggestions? Please do not hesitate to contact the Fathers' Representative!
Further Information
Since summer 2023, there has been a "VÄFÖ Best Practice Leitfaden" (VÄFÖ Best Practice Guide”) with information for fathers at the MHH on all aspects of supporting fathers. It contains checklists for employees and supervisors on the topics of work-life balance, parental leave and part-time work and highlights the problems and wishes of students from the perspective of fathers. Best practice CVs show how individual topics considering compatibility of family and work are and that it depends on good framework conditions. It also gives a brief overview of the pilot project “Supporting fathers at the MHH”: As part of the project, the wishes of employees and students were surveyed and analyzed and creative solutions were developed and tested. The guide is completed by the wide range of childcare options available at the MHH, from regular to emergency care.
The brochure "Väter und Vereinbarkeit" (Fathers and compatibility), updated in 2019 by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, is a guide to father-oriented personnel policy with practical examples. You will find expert interviews and practical examples on personnel policy with awareness for fathers, career and leadership, ElterngeldPlus, results orientation, communication and fathers' networks. Like the previous version from 2017, "Väter und Vereinbarkeit" (“Fathers and compatibility of familiy and work”), it contains important facts and data for everyday working life. The BMFSFJ brochure on "Mehr Zeit für die Familie: Väter und das ElternGeldPlus" (“More time for the family: fathers and ElternGeldPlus”) supports men in their decision to take family time. The "Väterreport.Update 2021" (“Fathers‘ Report Update 2021”) from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth presents new findings on the “fathers of today” and supplements the "Väterreport -Vater sein in Deutschland heute" (“Fathers’ Report - Being a father in Germany today”) from 2018.
“Becoming a father is one of the most exciting and thrilling experiences in a man's life. (...) The prospect of fatherhood changes a man's life enormously. Soon there will be responsibilities at home that you have to grow into.” In the brochure "Ich bin dabei! Vater werden" (“I´m in! Becoming a father”) from the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) contains the most important information for men and lots of practical tips for fathers-to-be.
Are you about to become a father and are considering accompanying your partner during the birth? Then you are in good company. In Germany, most men are present at the birth of their child. The brochure "Mann wird Vater - Informationen für werdende Väter zur Geburt" (“Man becomes father. Information for expectant fathers on the birth”) from the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) is aimed at expectant fathers who want to find out more about preparing for the birth, the birth process and the important first days in the growing family. It offers suggestions and highlights various aspects of becoming a father.
We recommend the fathers' newsletter, which is sent free of charge by e-mail every two months. It can be subscribed to via the fathers' portal at https://www.vaeter-in-niedersachsen.de/newsletter.
VÄFÖ
Events for students and employed fathers can be found here.
External offers:
The Institute for Boys’ and Men's Work "mannigfaltig e.V." in Hannover is a counseling center for boys’ and men’s work, funded by the region and the city of Hannover. A general information flyer contains various offerings, contact details, and dates for current events, especially for fathers with children. The flyer "Bald Papa" ("Soon to Be Dad") has been specifically developed for expectant fathers. A QR code provides specific details about dates, venues, and cooperation partners for expectant fathers.
Please contact "mannigfaltig e.V." or the Parent School at MHH directly. We would like to draw your attention to upcoming events for information and exchange for expectant fathers.
