Man Quits Job to Raise Children

Headlines were made in Scotland this week when a man decided to work part-time in order to spend more time at home with his children.

Professor Brian Ashcroft is the husband of Wendy Alexander, leader of the Scottish Labour Party now in opposition.  The couple have 18 month-old twins. 

• <>”I am 60 and have been director of the Institute for ten years and policy director for seven years. That meant a high work load. I am at the time of my life when I would like more flexibility. My wife is just about to become the leader of the Scottish parliamentary Labour group, which is a very demanding role,” Professor Ashcroft told the Scotsman.
• <>”I am 60 and she is only 44 and so it seemed the right thing to do in being prepared to give her more support.”
• “In Wendy’s job, there is going to be a lot of pressure on her and that backwashes on me. This is what I want to do and I am excited about doing it.

• The newspaper asked Ashcroft if the move made him  a “new man.” Prof Ashcroft replied: “Given my age, I am a pretty old man.”

In other news, billions of women around the world found themselves working part-time, without jobs or just sidelined on the career track so that they can spend more time raising their children.  No one noticed.