Beyond the Bare Minimum: The Need for Paternity Leave
Childhood emotional neglect can severely impact a child’s self-esteem and mental well-being, teaching them that their emotions don’t matter. The effects of this neglect can persist throughout their life. This pattern of neglect often begins from birth, and it’s common to see children emotionally distant from their parents due to the way the parents themselves were raised. Understanding a child’s needs should start from the moment they are born. This is the issue I want to address, along with how companies can contribute to a better future by supporting this cause. Not all parents come from backgrounds that teach them how to nurture a child properly, and while it's something they must learn, the least we can do as a community is to provide the time and space for that learning to happen.
Paternity leave is typically a brief period granted to fathers immediately after the birth of a child. Its purpose is to allow fathers to support the mother’s recovery, which is important for establishing breastfeeding, caring for the newborn and other children, and handling birth registration and other family-related tasks. Paternity leave can be offered as a distinct leave entitlement for fathers or as part of a broader "special leave" category available to all employees. In such cases, events like the birth of a child or other family-related matters are listed as valid reasons for taking a set number of days off, in addition to regular annual leave.
Fathers need to take paternity leave, even if they believe the family can manage without them. Taking time off after birth immerses fathers in the daily responsibilities of childcare without the pressure of work, allowing them to build parenting skills and a sense of responsibility. This enables them to become active co-parents rather than helpers to their female partners. By shifting from a manager-helper dynamic to a true co-parenting relationship, fathers contribute to a more equitable division of labor. Furthermore, early involvement strengthens the "parental capital" children receive through quality father-child interactions, which is crucial for their development. Research shows that such participation plays a significant role in improving children's outcomes across nearly all measures of success which definitely integrates and adds value to the country's growth and welfare.
Fathers who take leave, especially those taking two weeks or more immediately after childbirth, are more likely to be involved with their young children. This is likely to have positive effects for gender equality in the home, which is the foundation of gender equality at work or outside.
Currently, there is no national law mandating paternity leave in the private sector in India. This means companies are not obligated to offer paternity leave as part of their employee benefits package. This is problematic on so many levels. Many private companies do offer paternity leave, though the duration and terms can vary significantly.?
The necessity for paternity leave legislation:
In India, paternity leave rights are only granted to central government employees, as outlined in Section 551 (A) of the Central Civil Service (Leave) rules in 1972. This highlights how the issue of paternity leave is still not widely recognized or prioritized, even by the ILO, whose most recent report on the matter dates back to 2014, nearly a decade ago. In contrast, as of March 2019, all Canadian parents are entitled to 40 weeks of parental leave, with 5 weeks specifically designated for fathers to take time off to care for their newborn. Developed countries are making significant progress in this area, showing consistent improvements over the years.
The 2014 report from ILO shows:?
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Evidence indicates that this participation is a key factor in children doing better in life on almost every indicator of success.
Paternity leave should be mandated by government bodies and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to promote gender equality and support family well-being. It allows fathers to actively participate in early childcare, fostering stronger family bonds and reducing the burden on mothers. This leave also helps break traditional gender roles, encouraging shared parenting responsibilities. Moreover, it benefits workplaces by improving employee morale and retention. It is a step towards an inclusive and balanced society. Children who grow up with strong parental bonds tend to develop better social skills and learn how to treat others with kindness and respect.
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Associate Project Manager @ EKSAQ | Product Adoption, Project Management
1 个月Valid point
Well put Sharan!!