Jessica Chastain wants to see more respect shown for all fathers.
In a recent interview with Sunday Times Style, the actress, who shares two daughters with her husband Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo,
an Italian count and fashion executive, discussed why she believes dads don't receive enough credit.
"I believe that currently, as a society, we don't value fathers as much as we should. It is tough for me to say as a woman,
but the father-child relationship is just as important as the mother-child relationship, said 44-year-old Chastain. Men must acknowledge the value of working with women.
Once we attain greater balance in both the workforce and childrearing, I think that's how we create individuals who are healthier and happier.
One father who set an example for her as a parent was Chris Hemsworth, who starred with Chastain in The Huntsman.
She noted the Australian actor's apparent "devastation" at not being able to return from the production in time to put his three children to bed.
"His kids were always asleep when he arrived home, which made him quite sad if we were coming over. And all of this happened long before I was married.
When I first saw that, I wondered, "Why isn't there a setup so folks can be with their children when we're on set for 16 hours a day?"
And I believe it should apply to males as well, which is why Chris's wonderful comments about how much he missed his children broke my heart.
We need to reach a point where guys can admit it and society views it as a strength "She spoke.
Chastain took Hemsworth's advice to heart and had a trailer built up on the set of her upcoming film, The 355, to use as a nursery for the actors' children.
But Chastain didn't begin to think about these issues until she had a child. She argues that her challenging upbringing as
one of a single mother's five children served as the primary impetus for her desire to bring about change.
Although I don't talk much about it, it wasn't at all what you'd expect. I think people expect someone with a different background from me when they see me," Chastain said.
I can comprehend it because I'm from there. It also irritates me. I also don't want anyone else to be constrained in any way.
Regarding having a voice and being acknowledged, admired, and seen.
The Oscar-nominated actress was passionate about acting as a young girl, but she was unable to enrol in a local performing arts school because of her financial situation.
Instead, she worked there in exchange for classes. She eventually made it to the prestigious performing arts college in New York, Juilliard.
She says that having this luxury has influenced who she is today.
Chastain also mentioned that she was "the first person in my family to not be pregnant when I was 17" and thanked Planned Parenthood for
providing her with birth control pills when she was a teen, which gave her the freedom to pursue her aspirations.
It had a profound effect on my life since it gave me possibilities.