There are two ways to see Russell Crowe’s decision to renounce his 37.5 per cent stake of the Rabbitohs football club for “family reasons”.
You could see him as a role model for the thoroughly modern man; a father prepared to make personal sacrifices in the name of family.
Or, you could take a more cynical approach and question whether Crowe’s time would be better saved slicing off a couple of movies from schedule every year.
Or how about cutting back on those punishing personal training sessions he’s so fond of posting on Twitter these days?
But nobody likes an armchair marriage expert, so I’m going with the first one.
Russell Crowe might be a wildly successful actor, with a range of artistic accolades and an impressive bank account, but that doesn’t make him immune to the pressures of being a modern day dad, juggling the conflicting demands of career, relationships and parenting.
As he said himself, “It’s pretty simple, I have to make more time for my family,” he said.
Crowe’s right. It is an exceptionally straightforward explanation, and one that quickly dispels any old-fashioned notions of a glamorous Hollywood lifestyle.
Obviously the guy’s trade offs are different to most. While the average bloke might forfeit his weekly game of indoor cricket in favour of a few extra hours with these kids, Crowe is selling off his stake in a 104 year old football club.
Still, the principle is the same. As parenting expert Dr Peter West told The Punch this morning, there is huge pressure on modern fathers to play an active and present role in their children’s lives.
“Women’s roles have evolved in modern society. Where even 20 years ago, a pregnant woman is more visible in daily life, men are expected to be at the maternity bedside and so it continues throughout the life of the child,” he said.
West also said workshops he runs with new fathers he encourages dad only time with the kids as a matter of priority.
“So many new dads tell me that they’re keen to redress the good but absent roles that their own fathers played. And these improved relationships will ensure children are more thoughtfully than previous generations,” he said.
Similarly, psychologist Meredith Fuller said that this bond is now considered vital to a child’s development. Self esteem, future relationships and career path can all be positively influenced from a healthy and active relationship with both parents.
All of which is well and good and probably quite applicable in the case of Russ. Then again, maybe he just ditched the Rabbitohs because he got sick of a losing cause.
Follow me on Twitter: @lucyjk
Comments on this post close at 8pm AEST
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
RT @CrawfordFund: @farrm51 u may like 2 help spread word of our #foodsecurity journo award http://t.co/FwbMWwJmLf
RT @adamroy37: Just received a phone call from a young girl apologizing for her actions. Lets support her please #racismitstopswithme#Indi…
RT @adamroy37: Just received a phone call from a young girl apologizing for her actions. Lets support her please #racismitstopswithme#Indi…
Australia. Where you die for your country and get a rest area named after you http://t.co/hO6LpfwDvI
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
Most commented