The Importance of Paid Paternity Leave

Establishing a connection with a child in the first few weeks or months after their birth is vital as it creates routine, prepares the household, and helps adapt to new family life. The presence of both parents significantly influences the child's upbringing and perception of their own life, with some individuals feeling worthless without one parent. Strengthening the family bond during this six-week period contributes to building stronger families. Children who experience divorce or are unfamiliar with one parent face challenges in life.

According to "Leave Practices of Parents after the Birth or Adoption of Young Children," children whose mothers did not take leave were more likely to come from single-parent families. Personally, I grew up with a single mother who returned to work or school shortly after my birth without taking any leave. Initially, my grandmother played a significant role in raising me, but overcoming the absence of a father has always been difficult for me.

During my youth, I often wondered why it appeared that everyone else possessed something that I could never attain.

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Various men have entered my life and attempted to fill the role of a father, but an emptiness always remains. Thoughts of my father - his identity, appearance, and potential siblings - occupy my mind daily. The connection many people have with their fathers appears unattainable and unrealistic to me. However, despite not having a father myself, I understand the importance of that bond. Paid paternity leave provides an exceptional chance to nurture a strong family unit and cultivate this special relationship.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines paternity leave as "a short period of authorized absence from employment granted to a father after or shortly before the birth of his child." Unlike maternity leave, which is taken by mothers, paternity leave specifically refers to the time taken by fathers. I strongly believe that fathers should have the right to take six weeks of paid paternity leave in order to support their families.

Another relevant term, as explained on the United States Department of Labor website, is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). According to this act, eligible employees of covered employers are provided with unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons while maintaining group health insurance coverage. The website states that employees are entitled to twelve work weeks of unpaid leave within a twelve-month period.

Despite the lack of paid leave for parents, this act still offers benefits to working parents. While the impact of men staying at home is not well-documented, the bond between parents and their child holds immense value. In her article "Fathers, Parental Leave Policies, and Infant Quality of Life: International Perspectives and Policy Impact," Margaret O'Brien argues that parental leave can strengthen fathers' emotional connection with infants and provide support to mothers. Personally, I am acquainted with a couple where the father exhausted all his vacation days without being able to take additional time off after the birth of their son. This unpaid absence resulted in financial difficulties for their family. Such situations could be prevented if men always had the choice of paid time off. Historically, paternity leave has not been widely accepted in workplaces.

The concept of traditional gender roles, involving men providing for the family and women taking care of the household, is evolving as society becomes more modern. While paternity leave is gaining acceptance among men, not all opt to utilize it. According to an article titled "Without Taking Away Her Leave": A Canadian Case Study of Couples Decisions on Father’s Use of Parental Leave," over 25% of Canadian fathers now choose paid leave when their child is born. This positive trend suggests that more fathers should take advantage of paid parental leave, especially during the crucial first six weeks in order to establish a strong bond with their child. However, in countries like the United States, fathers are less inclined to take time off after their child's birth compared to Quebec in Canada where paternity leave is widely embraced by men.

Although there may be arguments against taking a lengthy break after becoming a parent, the introduction of paternity leave will normalize men taking time off. This could involve using vacation days, potentially limiting their ability to take unplanned time off. Taking twelve weeks without pay can have a significant impact on various family situations. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure payment for the initial six weeks. As this concept becomes more widely accepted, more men will no longer feel compelled to limit their participation in their families.

Ariane Hegewisch and Yuko Hara stress the importance of job-protected parental leave in their article titled "Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave in the United States". They argue that this type of leave is vital for the well-being and financial security of pregnant women, new mothers, and their families. It also plays a crucial role in establishing a stronger family unit. Furthermore, it enables fathers to develop a bond with their children similar to mothers and encourages paternal involvement. Parental leave additionally promotes shared decision-making between parents. In an interview with CNN, Joe Schroeder expressed his disappointment regarding the lack of universal recognition of parental leave as a fundamental right. He acknowledged its significance based on his personal experience taking three months of paternity leave. Schroeder's testimony sheds light on instances where men are denied this right and brings attention to situations where eligible women may also lack access or compensation.

Taking paternity leave can have a beneficial effect on the support women receive in the workplace, increasing the likelihood of women returning to work and men becoming more involved in childcare. When fathers assist during the initial weeks to establish a child's routine and create stability, women are less likely to feel compelled to stay at home. The article "The Daddy Track" supports this idea, emphasizing that paternity leave is an effective tool for promoting gender equality by boosting male participation in household tasks and female participation in the labor force. By contributing to household chores and spending more time with their children, fathers can effectively support their partners at home.

The probability of women returning to work increases, leading to more salary increases and career advancements. In addition, women are less likely to experience postpartum depression due to reduced pressure. If men's paternity leave is compensated, women can still maintain financial security and are more inclined to go back to work. The article "Who's Bathing the Baby? The Division of Domestic Labour in Sweden" presents a case study on parental leave that supports this idea. The study found that men became more involved in childcare and household tasks when women resumed employment. Throughout history, gender inequality has been prevalent; however, advocating for paid parental leave for both genders will help establish a fairer and more balanced workplace.

Despite its status as a modern country, the United States is falling behind in terms of paid paternity leave compared to other nations. For example, Sweden and certain areas in Canada offer longer periods of paid paternity leave. According to the Pew Research Organization, several European countries (such as Poland, Estonia, Spain, Lithuania, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, France, and Finland) provide three or more years of protected leave for mothers. In contrast to these countries with more progressive policies regarding parental leave, the U.S. has the shortest duration of paid leave and does not require it for companies. It is surprising that a country renowned for its progressiveness and emphasis on equality lags behind in terms of parental leave policies.
Research suggests that extending parental leave would allow fathers to take time off work and contribute more to household duties. This would help establish equal roles for men and women within households while ensuring that children feel connected to both parents. Among these countries with more progressive approaches towards parental leave policies, I will focus on Sweden.

"The Best of Both Worlds? Fatherhood and Gender Equality in Swedish Paternity Leave Campaigns, 1976-2001" reveals that Sweden provides ample paid leave to parents as a means of fostering workplace gender equality. Throughout this timeframe, the campaigns consistently stressed the benefits men could reap from taking paternity leave. Additionally, these campaigns underscored multiple advantages for both fathers and children resulting from paternity leave. If the United States were to adopt a comparable policy, it would result in increased policy acceptance and numerous advantages for work-life balance.

Despite the stereotypes associated with the image of a family, our country has progressed beyond them. The traditional expectation that the father will provide for the family financially while the mother takes care of the children and household chores is changing. Jennifer Berdahl highlights one such stereotype in The Wall Street Journal: "Active fathers are seen as distracted and less dedicated to their work—the same perception that harms career prospects for many working mothers. . ." However, it is crucial for men to feel empowered to take paternity leave, challenging historical and current stereotypes. Encouraging paternity leave usage can be the foundation for achieving equality both at work and home, benefiting women's careers and promoting overall equality. It is also vital to ensure paid leave for the first six weeks as this will break down stereotypes, improve family stability, and enhance our nation's social fabric. In comparison to other countries, the United States falls behind in terms of parental leave policies. Advancing our policy to include six weeks of paid leave will yield positive implications in both professional and social spheres.