Paternity Leave , Yes Or No?

@Kandae11 (53681)

July 21, 2022 10:23am CST

There is no need to dispute a mother being allowed maternity leave, but should the father get leave too - what is called ' paternity leave' ? Of course a father being there sharing and caring during the first weeks of his child's life would promote a necessary bonding between father and child. However, suppose he is the kind of person who would take the leave and spend most of it sporting with friends.? His employer won't know what he is up to. Then you have cases where the man has a girlfriend who delivers his child the same year his wife delivers -- sometimes just week's apart. I think most men would welcome the opportunity to spend time with their newborn, but there are others who would use their paid leave in other ways. What do you think? Should men be entitled to paternity leave? Will it make a real difference? What are the positives and negatives? Pixabay image

22 people like this

24 responses

@arunima25 (85579)

• Bangalore, India

22 Jul 22

My husband took paternity leave for both my daughters delivery. He got two weeks off and another two weeks permission to work from home.It was very helpful especially with my second delivery which was a complicated one and I had to undergo C section.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

That is wonderful. Paternity leave definitely makes it easier on the mother and benefits the whole family.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

@arunima25 l agree totally. I hope more Companies and more countries in the world get on board with it.

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@arunima25 (85579)

• Bangalore, India

22 Jul 22

@Kandae11 It surely does. If it's an involved father and a loving partner, he also goes through all the emotional turmoil and feelings like the new mother. Staying together in the beginning few weeks helps both partners and definitely helps with a healthy bonding with the baby.

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@Shavkat (137238)

• Philippines

21 Jul 22

I think it is fine for them to have it. As long as they are doing their duty to their wives upon delivery of their babies.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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21 Jul 22

I think it is a good idea too - if they make use of the leave in the right way.

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@Shavkat (137238)

• Philippines

22 Jul 22

@Kandae11 I heard in China. Men can only have one week. How about in your country?

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

@Shavkat It is not fully implemented yet but it will be soon.

@allknowing (130134)

• India

21 Jul 22

There is a lot of encouragement given to fathers to be a part of taking care of the new born and they can only do it if they are given leave.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

It could be of great benefit for child and parents.

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Anne Marie Guyer

@LeaPea2417 (36514)

• Toccoa, Georgia

22 Jul 22

It would be good for a father to get that bonding time with a new born.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

Definitely. It is a really good initiative.

@cacay1 (83220)

• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

22 Jul 22

My male co workers applied paternity leave. Even my brother applied too with pay. Husbands must care and help the wife care the newly born.

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@cacay1 (83220)

• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

23 Jul 22

@Kandae11, the husband needs to care the newly born while the wife is recovering from painful labor.

@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

It is good that the father is given the opportunity to bond with the newborn.

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@MarieCoyle (29038)

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22 Jul 22

My son got paternity leave. He could take it all at once or in 2 segments. He took 3 weeks when the last baby came and helped with the new little guy, cleaned, cooked, etc. plus chase the toddler and try to help his wife. Then he was allowed to save the remaining week of it to use the week his wife had to go back to work, and he said that worked out to be a really good decision as it helped a lot. If a man is a parent and gets the paternity leave, I do hope he uses it to actually help rather than, as some said, time to go play.

2 people like this

@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

That sounds awesome. This is a very good initiative and should work perfectly for couples who care about each other and the well being of their children.

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@MarieCoyle (29038)

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22 Jul 22

@Kandae11 They parent well together. I'm very glad they get along so well.

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@RebeccasFarm (86819)

• United States

27 Jul 22

Well maybe so. Not sure about this one.

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@RebeccasFarm (86819)

• United States

27 Jul 22

@Kandae11 Was in hospital twice Kandase but healing now thanks so much. Glad to see you as well my friend.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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27 Jul 22

I am sure glad to see you. Hope you are well.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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27 Jul 22

@RebeccasFarm This morning when l was saying my prayers l had this strong feeling that l would be hearing from you today - and here you are.

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@mohaba77 (102)

• Jakarta, Indonesia

22 Jul 22

sometimes we forget that there is mother's day by privileging mother but forgetting father...because there is no father's day

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

There is no Father's Day celebration in your country? In the Caribbean country where l reside Father's Day is celebrated on June 17 every year.

@Sheilamarie78 (2586)

• Canada

21 Jul 22

My sons took paternity leaves and their wives were grateful for the help. And of course, the first little while of living with a newborn means nobody sleeps. If we want to strengthen families and encourage fathers to be involved with their children, paternity leave is a good start. I guess it depends on what our priorities are as a society. I have never known a new father who took leave and then just went out and had fun with his friends. Again, I think it depends on the culture you live in and what we see as important in life.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

Yes a lot depends on the person . In every culture you will find good fathers and bad fathers. This is a great opportunity for the good ones who care about and love family. The early bonding will pay great dividends in the years to come.

@JudyEv (326149)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jul 22

If people had a few more morals, then they would do the right thing by their employers and their spouses.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

Definitely.It does not go the way it should in all cases.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (15746)

• Raurkela, India

22 Jul 22

A paternity leave is not allowed in India, but a paternity leave is good as the first few days after delivery the mother is too weak and needs help.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

Some countries are still working on it. My only problem with it is that not all paternity leave recipients will use it for the designated purpose.

@misunderstood_zombie (8142)

• United States

21 Jul 22

My son in law had six weeks off when my grandson was born, it was such a great time for them. Not all companies do this in the US though.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

It should be encouraged.

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@Rashnag (30594)

• Surat, India

22 Jul 22

I feel it depends on person to person for how to spend time taken for paternity leave. I think it's beneficial as mother will get help from her husband in bringing up the child

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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27 Jul 22

Yes it is a good idea. Hopefully the father does spend time at home when he gets the leave.

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@58lordstreet (1669)

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21 Jul 22

so If I dont have a baby can I just take the extra time off

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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21 Jul 22

Ha, l am sure some will find ways of getting around that 'problem'.

@Kandae11 (53681)

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21 Jul 22

@58lordstreet Taking care of a newborn is certainly not a holiday. Think of - less sleep, changing diapers, if the baby is fussy - lots of crying. Did your parents mention if you were a difficult baby or an easy one to handle.?

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@58lordstreet (1669)

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21 Jul 22

@Kandae11 maybe everyone should just get more holidays

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@snowy22315 (170542)

• United States

21 Jul 22

I think they should get it but not as much as mother's get after all they don't need to recover from the pregnancy, bresat feed or any of the other goodies that go along with pregnancy. I would think a few months would be more than sufficient for fathers.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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22 Jul 22

I think they will get 90% of their pay for two weeks . l am not sure what happens if the leave is longer.

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@dodo19 (47117)

• Beaconsfield, Quebec

22 Jul 22

I think fathers should be able to have paternity leave and be able to use it. My husband was able to have time off for all three of our kids. He was definitely happy to be there. I feel that this should be available to both parents.

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@FourWalls (62475)

• United States

21 Jul 22

It might be a nice incentive for companies to offer. However, if a guy has a pregnant wife and a couple of pregnant girlfriends, there needs to be a line drawn. I guess that would be accomplished by whomever is on the medical insurance with him.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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21 Jul 22

Those are situations which could arise and should be worked around. Like entitlement to paternity leave just once a year - his wife won't be delivering twice a year. If girlfriends were included, he would be spending a lot of time on paternity leave.

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@Ronrybs (17849)

• London, England

21 Jul 22

I have no problem with maternity and paternity leave. I am sure there are plenty of fathers who'd love to spend time with their youngest

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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21 Jul 22

It is a wonderful opportunity for the family.

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@Dreamerby (3049)

• Calcutta, India

21 Jul 22

Yes to paternity leave for men. Otherwise women go into post-partum depression.

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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21 Jul 22

It is much easier for the mother when she has that extra support after the birth.

@58lordstreet (1669)

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21 Jul 22

as long as they are actually spending time with the baby lol I suppose ....suspect some would take the time off and go and play golf

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@Kandae11 (53681)

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21 Jul 22

Or spend time in the bar.