Pensioners should not have to take on cleaning jobs to make ends meet, mothers with young children - or indeed fathers - should not have to leave them in day-care, people with disabilities may not be able to stay in employment during different phases of a progressive illness.

BBC: Jackie Ballard: Principle into power

The American Founding Fathers actually understood the perversities of democracy well before modern-day scholars discovered them.

FORBES: The Myriad Infirmities of Democracy

In the mid 1970s, fathers of children under five devoted less than 15 minutes a day to child-related activities, compared to over two hours by the late 1990s, the survey showed.

BBC: Fathers want more time with children

He was referring to Obama chastising black fathers for not doing enough for their children during a Father's Day speech and making "faith-based initiatives" part of his campaign platform.

CNN: Obama's focus is responsibility in NAACP speech