What do you think about paternity leave?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (123737)
United States
July 29, 2026 6:48pm CST
In America, standard maternity leave is six weeks. Of course, it varies for certain jobs, and I’m sure some companies are much more generous.
It’s only fairly “recent” (25 years?) that paternity leave has become more common. Usually the father doesn’t get the full six weeks, but he often gets a week off. I’m all for paternity leave. Not every new mother has a family to help her recover and take care of the baby (at least in the daycare I worked at the baby had to be at least six weeks old to be cared for) while she recovers. If the mother got six weeks off I think the father should at least get two.
Now, I can just hear people without children disagreeing with me. I can even hear some clueless women say six weeks is even too long for a woman to have off after childbirth. To that, I say, you’re dumb. Do you have any idea what the body goes through in childbirth? The poor women needs to recover, and she deserves for the father to get a little time off to help too.
What is your opinion on paternity leave?
11 people like this
11 responses
@toniganzon (78236)
• Philippines
5h
Our country has paternity leave since 1997. It's also 7 days and applies up to the fourth child of the legitimate spouse.
But we also have what we call a "transferred leave." it's allowing the working mom to transfer 7 days of her maternity leave to the father, making the paternity leave 14 days.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (78236)
• Philippines
20m
@TheHorse Mothers are entitled to a 105 days of paid leave and an additional 15 days for solo mothers. For those who are married who want to transfer 7 days to their husbands or chosen caregiver, it will be deducted to their 105 days of paid leave.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61682)
• United States
4h
My grandson got three months of paternity leave when his son was born. It was a big help to his wife and it gave him a chance to bond with Oliver.?
2 people like this
@kareng (80561)
• United States
4h
My son in law got 6 weeks off after the birth of Nolan. I went to help out for a week, but they were doing fine with the baby. It was his first and he is learning how to be a very hand's on dad! Very proud of him! It also allows some bonding time with Dad!!
Back in the late 80's when I had my set of twins, I got 6 weeks off and my husband 0. He took off the day of delivery and the day I was discharged that went against his vacation time. If ever there was a time I needed help that was it!! My mom lived close by and would come over some days to help out but she was limited in what she could help with.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69576)
• Centralia, Washington
4h
When I had my daughter we were pretty poor. I had to go back to work as a waitress pretty soon after. I could feel that I wasn't really ready for physical work. My hubby cared for daughter. Due to his caring for so early and due to his being a great nurturer they are still very close.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (123746)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
2h
Paternity leave is needed in businesses.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (88025)
• United States
4h
Funny how it’s really popular now that men can have it. 
All in favor of it.
All in favor of it.1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (176476)
• United States
Just now
When Pretty was born, I took two weeks off from work. Her mom ripped open and it took that long for her to heal enough that she could walk without help. While she was healing, I carried her everywhere she needed to go in the house and took care of Pretty as well as my step-daughter.
When Pretty was still little, I'd tell her mom that Pretty was a "butt-baby". She'd get so mad at me. 
@MarieCoyle (60837)
•
Just now
When my youngest had her first baby, she was given 12weeks maternity leave,that is what they give where she works. Honestly it didn’t go well and she couldn’t have gone back in six weeks. Son in law was given three weeks, then I stepped in and stayed a month. We made it work. Yes, I think fathers should get the chance to bond with their children and to help at home!
