® 2019 HelpMyEssay.com
Total Length: 1408 words ( 5 double-spaced pages)
Total Sources: 6
Page 1 of 5
The lack of paternity leave does not promote greater flexibility for employers and employees to agree on the most suitable way to balance work and domestic needs without interference from the government.
Why Fathers Should Get More Paternity Leave:
Despite of the stigma associated with men's involvement in child care and domestic issues, fathers should get more paternity leave because of the benefits of taking some time off after the birth of a child. Currently, there is a growing body of research that demonstrates that longer paternity leave contribute to certain long-term benefits. Some of the major benefits and reasons for more paternity leave to fathers include & #8230;
Increased Involvement in Child Care:
Based on the findings of a 2007 study by Columbia University researchers, fathers who get more paternity leave are more involved in child care months after resuming work (Weber par, 13). Furthermore, an evaluation of leave-policy reforms in Quebec has indicated that more generous and equitable parental-leave policies contributes to a high possibility that mothers will return to their employers by the end of maternity leave. The need for more paternity leave is also attributed to the fact that men need to discover the wonderful experiences of spending time with their new baby (Chen par, 1).
Increased Gender Equality:
The other reason for the need of more paternity leave to fathers is that is promotes gender equality, especially in the child's upbringing. This implies that more time off by fathers after the birth of a child promotes equal responsibility at home in relation to providing child care and support. Notably, more paternity leave provides both genders with similar rights and responsibilities in child care in order to achieve gender equality in the workplace and at home.
Promoting a Healthier Family Unit:
The birth of a new child is generally a family experience rather than a mother's experience, which implies that it requires the involvement of each family member. Therefore, fathers should get more paternity leave from work to engage in the new family experience and support their wives who may have undergone difficult experiences during labor and delivery. More paternity leave from work contributes significantly to the development of a healthier family unit. This helps in ensuring that paternity leave is not just about the fathers but about promoting a healthier family unit and experience in providing child care and support.
How to Provide More Paternity Leave:
Companies and organizations can get men to take more paternity leave by adopting some policies that contribute to significant changes in the existing stereotypes. The major way to get men to take more paternity leave is through talking about it as a family issue instead of a working mother's or parent's issue (McGregor par, 12). This will ensure that child care, especially in the early stages of life, is seen as a family responsibility and everyone's problem. Therefore, companies should be more inclusive and treat paternity leave as a need for all dads.
In conclusion, paternity leave has received more focus because of the shift in housewife and breadwinner roles. While several companies are catching on paternity leave, most men have been reluctant to take time off after the birth of a child. However, there are huge benefits of taking more paternity leave as shown in the growing body of research on longer paternity leave.
Works Cited:
Chen, Vivia. "Should Paternity Leave Be Mandatory?" The Careerist. ALM Media Properties, LLC., 9 Apr. 2013. Web. 24 June 2013.