Story: Families: a history

Men, children and women's liberation, 1972

Men, children and women's liberation, 1972

The women's liberation movement highlighted the need for men as well as women to be involved in the care of children. As a result, male volunteers were invited to care for children while their mothers attended the National Women's Liberation Conference at Victoria University in April 1972. Bill Robinson from Eastbourne was one of the volunteers, supervised by a member of the female crèche staff. The Evening Post published a photograph of him having a good time with the children, but commented that he was making sure that 'the youngsters don't get into too much mischief while mum's away', highlighting how unusual it was to have men caring for children.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1972/1782

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ian Pool and Rosemary Du Plessis, 'Families: a history - Baby boom continues: 1960s – early 1970s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/30218/men-children-and-womens-liberation-1972 (accessed 21 April 2024)

Story by Ian Pool and Rosemary Du Plessis, published 5 May 2011, updated 1 Jul 2017