Should men also get paternity leave from work?
By Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94921)
United States
March 31, 2012 11:21pm CST
I don't have any kids but when I do have kids along the line, I think it would be nice if my future-husband-to-be will also be on paternity leave to be with the child. It would be important to me that both mother and husband are present with the child is born as well as being together for the first few months.
Perhaps men shouldn't get a paternity leave before babies born but when after babies born? What do you think? Should men be able to have a paternity leave too?
3 people like this
17 responses
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
1 Apr 12
I live in Quebec, Canada and men here are entitled to 5 consecutive weeks of paternity leave. It can begin the week the baby is born and must be completed within the 52 weeks after the birth.
There is also parental leave - this is where each parent of a newborn or newly adopted baby can take up to 52 of unpaid leave. This is in addition to the 18 weeks of maternity leave for the mother and the 5 weeks of paternity leave for the father.
So, if people plan ahead and can deal with time off work without pay, there are options to have the parents with the baby during the early months 
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
17 Apr 12
It's definitely hard. Back when I had my first, I was off for a year and then went back to work. With my second, I had started my own business just before I got pregnant. So I worked through the pregnancy and took my maternity leave and then started doing contract work again... it wasn't easy to juggle but it did allow me to make some choices that I wanted to make. I don't know if I could do the same thing if I were just having my children now. Things really change! I hope all goes well for you as you transition back to work! 
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
2 Apr 12
I see. I did not know that. That is nice =)
1 person likes this
@ErinCW (37)
• Canada
17 Apr 12
Sadly in this economy it's really hard to take time off work unpaid.
I am just about to end my maternity leave and head back to work and I will be honest that when applying for my mat leave it was not laid out clearly how we could divide up the time or if my husband was entitled to any paid time.
I think that it is very important to have the father home with the mother and baby for the first few weeks as that's when the baby is developing it's strong parental bonds. Unfortunately I don' think it happens very often. My husband did end up taking a few days off work when our son was born, but it was unpaid and financially hard on us. But it was worth it to all be together when introducing our new baby into our world and lives.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
1 Apr 12
Hi Infatua, my hubby was allowed a 3 days paternity leaves when my son was born a few years ago. Men only allowed to take paternity leave when the child was born. They can't take the paternity leave before the child was born. I am happy that the company where my hubby work allowed him to have the first days off, to get to know his newborn baby. I am pity to hear from my friends that not every company provide paternity leave to their male staffs. Is your company also have a 3 days paternity leave for their male staff?
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
1 Apr 12
That is nice your husband was allowed 3 days off however I think it should be longer maybe 2 weeks at least. I don't work yet (I am still in College) but I never heard of a male paternity leave before (I asked my mom and she wasn't familiar with that either at her company).
@onixflight (8)
• United States
1 Apr 12
I think they should, even though the woman is physically having the baby it's a huge part of the mans life too.
1 person likes this
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
1 Apr 12
As for my country here, the male staff only allowed to take 3 days paternity leaves only. But they are allowed to take extra paid or unpaid leaves. At that time, my hubby also take some extra paid leaves, since it is a very busy schedule of a new family life.
@maezee (41997)
• United States
1 Apr 12
It makes sense in case the husband needs to stay at home with the baby. It's kind of unfair that usually the woman always takes the maternity leave and is expected to take care of the baby 24/7. We should switch it up and have the women go back to work after a few weeks and the GUYS can be stay at home dads to their newborns!
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
2 Aug 12
I believe that both parents should get paid leave but the biggest reason that a woman should always get paid leave is that she is physically recovering from giving birth to a baby. If your doctor won't even give you the okay to drive 3 days after giving birth to a baby, then how is it fair to expect you to go right back to work? Also, obviously the easiest and most accessible caregiver for someone who JUST HAD A BABY would be the spouse or partner, and we all know nobody can live on NOTHING so somebody needs to still be getting paid. I would consider it medically necessary sick leave.
@freymind (1351)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
Some of my coworkers did get a paternity leave when their babies where born. They were given I think a maximum of a week after the baby was born. Some of my coworkers used their vacation leave for that year so that they can be with their wives and newborn babies for a month. I think if us women where to be asked it will be an advantage if our husbands should be given a paternity leave of minimum of a month to a maximum of 3 months. But then again I don't think any company would want to pay for someone who isn't in the office right. LOL.. I hope there would be a law passed regarding Paternity leaves it would be a great gift for the wives.
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
2 Apr 12
Yeah I think the law should be longer than a few days or week. :P
@seddon151 (20)
• United States
13 Apr 12
I believe it is a state thing. In Vermont, we don't call it maternity or paternity leave. It's called Family and medical leave act and I think both men and woman can take it. It's for 12 weeks. My husband wasn't able to take it because he was not a full time employee of the company he was working with.
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
30 Jul 12
FMLA is not paid though. I think that dads should get PAID leave and all moms should get paid leave, even if it's only a month. If it were offered, companies would be more likely to attract people who will remain at the job after kids rather than resign because they can't make it work.
@lowyder (282)
• Canada
1 Apr 12
I understand wher ur coming fro with both parents being present but i think One parent is needed mother or father and other is supposed to provide for family as it would be great to live of love but as we no nlove does NOT pay our bills lol lol ..
best off luck with ur kids in future lol
Low
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
2 Apr 12
Yeah but I think both parents are important too =P Yea someone has to pay the bills but some companies don't give a long time for men then women kinda unfair
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
30 Jul 12
Yes, of course. I think they should get paid leave, not just FMLA - protected unpaid leave from work that allows them to take time off while protecting their job. In my opinion, I think they should be allowed to take days off during the pregnancy to go to things like ultrasound appointments or any specialist visits (in the event the pregnancy is high risk or mom is put on bed rest) and I also feel they deserve to have say the week before the baby is due off as well as at least a month after.
Dads are important too, even if they weren't the one carrying the baby. They helped MAKE the baby and the good ones take care of the mom while she is pregnant. They deserve to share in the bonding and joy and being part of a new little family without having the job intrude right away and without financial stress and worry.
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
28 Jul 12
hi,
paternity leave already exist but for regular employee benefits only,they allow to file paternity leave after the born of baby,because that is the time that his wife needs his support especially in home,he needs to assist his wife until she can fully recovered.
@atprudente6 (673)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
When my daughter was born, I was allowed to be on paternity leave for 7 days. I think is it compulsory for the company to have this benefit for fathers.
@shirley2all (141)
• China
1 Apr 12
In China,men are allowed for 15-20 days for perternity leave.I think it is reasonable and necessary to enjoy the holiday and welcome new babies.
@saintly (1)
• Singapore
2 Apr 12
I think some countries allow paternity leave but not as long as maternity leave. Here in Singapore only 3 days of paid paternity leave is allowed, more than that I guess is either unpaid or will be deducted from your leave credits.. But it would be better if it can be longer than that, to support the mother who just gave birth specially for those women who gave birth via C-section.
@savagecabbage (1216)
• Philippines
30 Jul 12
In my country, men are also allowed to have paternity leave if their wife has recently given birth. According to the law, this is allowed because the husband will need to take care of his wife and his newborn child.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
2 Apr 12
My husband took 2 weeks from his job to help me and the baby get settled, and run to the store at midnight when I wanted ice cream. He had to fight for it, but in the US there is a law on the books that allows for paternity leave. A company does not necessarily have to pay for the leave, but they must give it to the employees. In my husbands case he was able to use sick days (which he had accumulated) to be at home with me.
@shirley2all (141)
• China
1 Apr 12
In China men are allowed 15-20 days for perternity leave. I think it is reasonable and necessary to enjoy the holiday and welcome new babies.
