Paternity leave, also called family leave, provides new dads an invaluable opportunity to bond with their newborn babies and establish strong father-daughter bonds.
How Much Time Dads Get For Paternity Leave
Unfortunately, few men take advantage of this opportunity; many fear being at a professional disadvantage. Missing out on pay increases and promotions, being stigmatized – they could all become factors.
1. They bond with the baby
Paternity leave is a period of weeks or months in which expectant husbands, partners of pregnant women. Fathers who adopt children can take time off work to bond with their new additions and spend quality time with the baby they were given as part of an adoption match. Although much of this leave may be unpaid, its rewards can be immense for families. When asking your employer for paternity leave, consider asking several weeks in advance so both you and your partner can plan ahead for it; also use this time to offer solutions about how your work will be managed while you’re gone.
Research has consistently demonstrated that fathers who take paternity leave and bond with their children tend to divide household responsibilities with their spouses in a more equitable manner later. Indeed, one Quebec study discovered that women whose partners took on their “daddy quota” spent an hour less per day on household tasks!
Many fathers remain reluctant to request paternity leave. Often out of fear that they will lose wages or will face discrimination at work. When properly planned and communicated paternity leaves can reduce any stigma that discourages some men from taking them; as such companies that prioritize work-life balance and gender equality should make paternity leave an integral component.
2. Dads Stress Less When They Have Paternity Leave
New fathers benefit greatly when they can take time off for themselves and their babies. While also managing household duties and maintaining health at home – especially important during a baby’s first few months of life.
Dads taking paternity leave may also play a greater role in their child’s upbringing. Helping with schoolwork and extracurricular activities that will aide long-term development. Studies also indicate that kids whose fathers took paternity leave are more likely to feel as if their dad is interested in and loves them. Which has a direct positive effect on emotional well-being of both the child and dad alike.
Unluckily, many American men do not have the luxury of taking paternity leave. While the Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid leave under certain conditions, qualifying may require extensive work history – which may prove challenging for hourly workers in particular.
Additionally, workplace cultures frequently promote the notion that taking paternity leave will harm a man’s career prospects. When Boston sports talk radio host Mike Francesca ridiculed Major League Baseball player Daniel Murphy for taking paternity leave without attending season opener. His comments mirrored concerns among working parents who worry their employer will criticize or penalise them. If they choose to utilize company policies for paternity leave policies.
3. They’re more involved
Dads taking paternity leave can take an active role in family life. Which benefits not only them but the rest of the household as a whole. According to one Quebec study, children whose fathers took time off actually scored higher on test scores and were more likely to attend college than those without such breaks from work.
Although paternity leave has many advantages, most men fail to take full advantage of its many benefits. Most male employees fear taking time off will negatively impact their career advancement or lead to less desirable projects in the future. They also worry about being disregarded or ridiculed by colleagues for taking time off work.
Pandemic may have compounded these concerns, yet gender norms in the workplace haven’t altered as much as expected. If more men wish to take paternity leave, cultural shifts and flexible work policies must change accordingly.
As our global population expands, companies must adapt and provide greater flexibility for employees – particularly dads. By increasing paid parental leave duration, offering day-by-day leave flexibility, and expanding eligibility criteria to include part-time workers and small-business owners. Doing this will help dads feel valued and empowered as members of society.
4. They’re happier
Dads who take advantage of paid leave are typically happier both at work and home, especially those whose employers offer it. Their satisfaction at work increases their morale. They may stay with their employer longer which benefits both parties by cutting down maternity/childcare costs.
Parents who take paternity leave are more engaged in their children’s lives, which provides an invaluable learning opportunity about what it takes to be a parent. From feeding frequency and proper swaddling technique. May help out around the house as their children get older. Which frees up partners to pursue career goals more freely.
Unfortunately, many men aren’t taking full advantage of the parental leave they are entitled to in the US. Only 1/5th of men eligible to take leave do so (and usually for less than two weeks).
This may be because men fear taking time off will harm their careers and worry that losing ground when returning back into work could happen upon taking it; yet companies should win this argument by encouraging and supporting families with new babies.
