Feb. 7, 2014
CP150
Unit 13 Essay
Paternity Leave for Men In society today, gender equality is becoming a big deal. Maternity leave has never been a questionable topic for new mothers, however it becomes controversial when it comes to new fathers. It is of extreme importance not only to the mothers but to the fathers as well. It is a great deal for new dads to share with the early bonding experiences and care for both mother and child. The men should be able to get a decent amount of time off to be able to share in this very special time. If companies offered this option for men, it would be a huge ordeal. They would be able to attend the birth and any important appointments that need to be attended. With paternity leave the men are given the privilege of being able to share in on the first stages of the child’s life. They also get the opportunity of being there for the child so dad can get to know the child and learn the needs the child has. “The increase in the number of men taking leave may be attributed in part, says Doucet, to changes made to the Employment Insurance Act in 2000, which increased the total parental leave time from six months to one year, thus allowing more time for dads to bring up
2
baby”(National Post 2007). A trusted pediatrician has to be found following the birth and fathers can assist the mothers with this process. Paternity leave also will allow both parents time to get daycare arrangements together if both parents have to return back to work. Having dad around would be beneficial to mom if she delivered baby by Cesarean. This procedure is very painful and forces mom to limit her mobility and lifting. After this surgery, it is very important that mom has someone around to help her throughout her healing process. Child birth is a lot of hard work. It can really take a lot of the new mother. A new mother is normally emotionally and physically drained after giving birth. That is why it is very crucial for companies to allow men paternity leave so that they can help with the rigorous routine that they now have to get used to. A lot of mothers just want to come home and sleep. This is where dad comes in and gives mom that break she needs. During that time of paternity leave, “only 13 percent of employers in this country offer men any paid time off for birth or adoption” (The Record 2006). All new mothers need assistance when it comes to a new baby. Babies require a lot of attention and sometimes mommy will not always have the energy to do a whole lot at first. Paternity leave for new fathers would be not only rewarding for the new dad when it comes to bonding, but also prove to be very beneficial to the new mother as well.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 is one that ties in heavily to the first situation. “The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year” (Solis, N.D.). This leave must be for the birth and care…
- 1421 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin, provides the tools and techniques for a mother-to-be’s birth partner to support her during her labor. The author provides all the necessary details of the process of carrying and birthing a baby, and the role that the birth partner is to play. The Birth Partner examines all the technicalities of delivering a baby-- from the start to the finish. Simkin provides the reader with the essential supplies for mother and baby as well as the ‘to how’ when faced with a potential emergency or departure from the “plan” of delivery. The reader can expect to be well prepared for supporting a birthing woman once they’ve read this book.…
- 357 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The mommy track has become a very real concern when it comes to women who want to have a rewarding career and still have children. Since women make up half the workforce in today’s society, the previous views or perspective that a woman cannot due both successfully has become a hot topic. Previously, it was expected that once a woman decided to have a child, she would have to switch to a part time job with little chance for advancement since she would not be able to devote the time needed to be successful as she advanced her career. Another possibility was that she would decide to leave the company altogether and raise the children as a full time mother. With women’s rights advancing and government protections being created for ensure fair treatment and equality among the sexes, making headway. It seems that there is a very real need to create…
- 691 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
There can be many cons to taking a paid paternity leave, but in the long run the family will benefit from the father taking off that time at the beginning after a birth or adoption. The possibility of losing a job is a legitimate concern, but when the father returns to work it will be easier for the father to balance out the workplace and family. The other concern of social judgement is also understandable, but the choice to take that leave to be able to spend time with the child and spouse will ultimately benefit everyone in the situation. Paid paternity leave, when added to paid maternity leave, will have the ability to keep the family financially stable while the family recuperates to the new life of having a child.…
- 131 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
Fathers-to-be should be granted paternity leave because they will be able to help the mother rest, heal, and recover from the pregnancy and having the baby. The father could take care of the baby while the mother gets to rest, hang with friends, recovers, or goes back to work. If a father is taking care of the baby, the mother can get much needed alone time. A father could also help the mother out by taking care of the child so they won’t have to get child care right away, seeing how child care is expensive, and so is a newborn baby.…
- 466 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Elliott-Carter, N., & Harper, J. (2012). Keeping Mothers and Newborns Together After Cesarean. Nursing For Women’s Health, 16(4), 290-295. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-486X.2012.01747.x…
- 1345 Words
- 6 Pages
Best Essays -
According to Lorber, in The Social Construction of Gender, she states that there are “socially imposed standards for men and women” (Lorber 1991:114). These aforementioned standards are often times a reason for not taking something such as paternity leave, which ‘defies’ the norms of society. In the past for centuries a woman, which is feminine, holds the characteristics of a caretaker and therefore is dealt the responsibility of the household. Even recently, women that are involved in careers that in the past were only “men’s jobs” take time off of work to tend to their children. So if one is to take paternity leave, the people may pester one alike their ribbing of Sam Hyatt saying are you “catching up on the soaps,” (Hochschild 1997:120) hinting at the women like connotations that taking work off for family has. What Jimmy could argue with the naysayers is that he wouldn’t be babysitting his child like other’s may refer to it as, but he would be responsibly engaging in the raising and fathering of his child. The consideration of people’s opinion makes a direct impact on whether one, like Jimmy, may…
- 1238 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Suzanne Field in her essay gives five reasons why parental leave is a myth. Men cannot feed children with breast milk, Fields observes. Fathers are “not recovering from carrying extra pounds for nine month,” they haven’t experienced labor pains, “and their bodies are not trying to deal with changing hormones and the flow of mother’s milk,” Fields argues.(3) Men should be out working to support their families financially, she contends, not staying at home and “burping Junior.” “If Congress mandates that society look upon both parents as equals after childbirth,” Fields suggests, “why shouldn’t we expect mommy to go back to work…
- 823 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Pregnancy and maternity – Making assumptions about parental roles and overlooking men 's different needs and experiences…
- 8577 Words
- 35 Pages
Better Essays -
For many years paternity leave for men has become a very controversial topic. There are a ton of opinions and facts to show both sides but I believe men should be allowed to have paid paternal leave as well.…
- 279 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Half of the women who had returned to work by the time of the second interview said they did not have enough time with their babies (Piotrkowski, C. S., D. Hugues, J. H. Pleck, S. Kessler-Sklar, and G. L. Staines., 1993). When comparing America's maternal leave policy to other countries, America only gave mothers 12 weeks with 0 percent of wages; while most other countries gave mothers anywhere from 60-100 percent. Chart is shown…
- 1516 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Gender roles in raising a family are a controversial topic in many homes today. Many people still believe that it should still be the man as the primary source of income, and that the woman should stay and raise the kids, while taking care of the home. Many dads today are abandoning this stereotype, and they choose to do a little bit of everything.” I think modern fathers take on many more roles.” (Linn) This resulting in being there for more of the child’s life, and playing a more active role in their childhood.…
- 872 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The United States is one of only three countries remaining that do not guarantee paid maternity leave to mothers. This becomes a problem not only for new mothers, but also creates a potentially stressful environment for both the newborn and the family. Unsubstantial and unpaid parental leave in the United States contributes to the gender pay gap, is damaging to new mothers, and contributes to the drop in birth rates amongst women in high paid positions.…
- 890 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Mothers should help the father also to cope up with his new role so that he also feels the stress involved during the child rearing process. Daddy dear can carry the baby in a sling-carrier and go for a nature walk or maybe shopping. Physical closeness naturally helps to bond with a child. Involve in diaper change and night feeds when the mom can take some rest. You can also divide your time and share some responsibilities as that will also…
- 499 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Today, American women are more educated and empowered than ever before. Women comprise forty-seven percent of the workforce in the United States of America (Livingston). They have been transitioning into the labor force not only to further their careers but also to support their families. In “forty percent of American families, a woman is the sole or primary breadwinner” (Livingston). Women play an essential role in the economy and in their families. Despite that, the United States is the only high income country without paid maternity leave (Messer). Maternity leave is the vital time a mother takes off of work to take care of herself and her newborn after childbirth. However, eighty-eight percent of women in America do not have access to paid maternity leave (Shortall). American women are forced to put their careers and financial stability at risk simply because they want to have children.…
- 415 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays