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Russell Brand’s Latest Comments On Fatherhood Have Landed Him In Hot Water

The comedian has been branded 'sexist'

Russell Brand, and his wife Laura Gallacher, have two daughters, yet despite this, the British comedian has never spent 24 hours alone with either. Revealing in a recent interview that he leaves the ‘managerial parenting tasks’ to his wife, Brand has prompted many to outcry the actor and comedian as ‘sexist’ and ‘old-fashioned.’ 

Dad to daughters Mable, 2, and Peggy, 6-months, Brand opened up in an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine about what he contributes in his household. The 43-year-old admitted that he had never been left alone with his children for more than one day because “[Gallacher] respects and cares for them too much.” Brand also confessed he is “not so good” when it comes to basic parental duties, such as changing nappies and being in charge at mealtimes.

“I’m very, very focused on the mystical connotations of Mabel‘s beauty and grace. Not so good on the [diapers] and making sure that they eat food,” he told interviewer Decca Aitkenhead.

“When I looked after Mabel on her own, she dropped two social classes in an hour,” he added. “In no time at all we’re in a coffee shop, she’s just got a nappy on, she’s covered in stuff because I’m not willing to fight any of the battles.”

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Brand did go on to praise his wife’s parenting skills, describing her as “astonishing.” 

“I’m still of a romantic and reflective and, possibly, to give it its proper name, a religious disposition,” Brand told the UK publication of why he leaves basic parenting duties to his wife. “That’s my world view. That’s not necessarily what you want organising pragmatic, bureaucratic, managerial stuff.”

“It turns out that [Laura] is extremely well versed in the nuances and complexities of child-rearing,” he continued. “Me, I am dedicated to it, devoted to it, but I am still surprised when it’s like, ‘Oh my God, this is f*cking really hard and it’s so exhausting.’ The younger one, I just feel inept so quickly, like with the crying’.”

Brand’s comments were received negatively by fellow parents who took issue with him not being as involved as his wife. 

RELATED: Men Get Postnatal Depression Too, And As The Mother’s Main Support, They Need Help

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However, other’s did jump to Brand’s defence, with one user commenting: “I think his comments were actually quite sensible and clearly meant in jest”. Another fan tweeted, “Is Russell Brand the sexist monster everyone is making him out to be? Or just another imperfect, damaged human who doesn’t know the ‘right’ thing to say. I know plenty of dads like him, and far worse, but no-one interviews them.”

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