Paternity Leave: Another aspect of child care

Paternity Leave: Another aspect of child care

• Can this leave ever be granted?
• What might be the logic behind it?
• Is it viable?
• Can we ever compare its utility to maternity leave?

This topic is a bit vague and unique but it is definitely worth writing. On the birth/adoption of a child does it require the support and care of both the father and the mother or only of the mother? In my opinion, isn’t it the right of a father to spend time with his child? And in contrast, why should a mother bear the whole responsibility of taking care of her child thereby hampering her career {assuming she cannot do both of it together}.

Hence, today I write on the topic of paternity leave.

In 2015, when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg declared that he would be availing of two-month paternity leave, it was still a novel concept. Since then, a lot has changed across the world. In fact, Indian food delivery app Zomato recently made waves after rolling out a 26-week paternity leave for its employees. And yet, India remains among the 90 out of the 187 countries in the world that do not have national policies to ensure that new fathers get adequate paid time off with their babies.

 But are men mentally prepared for it? The Indian society from its very inception has been patriarchal i.e the eldest male of the family rules yes, rules. Therefore, according to a survey even when the corporate was willing to offer paternity leave the males rejected it by saying that taking a day off is quite enough for them. Hence what is the logic of discussing when most of the men don’t want it in the first place?

The reason which zomato gave before doing this is ‘Gender Balance’. It said that 8 out of every 10 Zomato employees are male and hence it was necessary to make this provision for them.

In my opinion, it is time that we realize that this world is one where both the parents share every responsibility i.e economic, social, and the one related to the family. It can and will be a fresh start for both genders.

One more problem which exists is that because the corporate has to give maternity leave to the female employees it refrains from giving them jobs. Therefore, if we vow for paternity leave we might have to bear its consequences too. But in my opinion, the odds will equal out because the implementation of paternity leave will bring about more equality as jobs would now be given on merit as both the genders will get their leave.

As a concept that too in the Indian society, paternity leave is a quite unique and quirky topic but it has to be introduced someday hence why not today? The fathers should if they want to, get leave on the birth of their child as it is quite emotional for them too. They should at least have an option to choose whether or not if they want a holiday. 

I agree that the critiques might say that enabling Paternity Leave might pave way for other leaves like Grandfather’s, Grandmother's, etc. But this argument is baseless as leaves are only given on the pretext of direct blood relation.

Thus, I would like to end my blog by saying that,' In a world which is fighting for gender equality, even this is a very important aspect of it.'