IN many ways, it is remarkable how much the role of parents has changed over the last 30 or 40 years, with fathers much more likely to take an active and equal role in the raising of their children. In other ways, though, it is remarkable how much has stayed the same.
Maternity and paternity leave is a case in point. Mothers are entitled to 39 weeks of maternity pay, although not necessarily on full pay. Fathers on the other hand are only entitled to two weeks. For couples who otherwise take an equal share of domestic responsibilities, it is a situation that forces them back to the stereotypes of the 1950s.
Supporters of greater equality have been campaigning to change the situation for years, but the charity The Fatherhood Institute is now suggesting the introduction of a three-month, well-paid period of “daddy leave”. It also says that employers need to change the way they treat fatherhood and explicitly offer fathers the leave and flexibility they crave.
The most surprising aspect of the institute’s appeal is that it needs to be made at all. Fathers are much more likely than mothers to have their requests for flexible working turned down, but companies should be forced to follow the lead of Aviva, which is to offer all its employees 26 weeks of paternity leave on full pay.
Modern parents have changed; it is time the modern workplace caught up with them.
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