Paternity Leave & Childcare
An most useful piece over at the F-Word on how treating (most) childcare leave as maternal leave reinforces existing gender stereotypes on who should be doing it. It’s in the British context, but of course, it’s relevant to us as well. I think just by allowing fathers to take time off, in the Indian context, we’re not going to see a spate of men rushing to take on childcare. There are other factors including definitions of masculinity as well as fear of what ‘others will say’. However, it will atleast make it easier for those men who are already beyond such worries and would like to play a much more active role in child-rearing.
Also, if large, well-known companies were to do this, it would send some sort of signal to society, that there is no shame in a man choosing to spend time caring for the family. As more employed men are seen taking on this role, there will be more men who understand that you can work outside home and yet make time for childcare, and it’s not because you are a loser. As things stand today, even the few men who would like to stay home and take a break caring for the kids, can’t really do it, because there is no such legal provision; a man who wanted to do this today, would pretty much have to quit his job, except in a very few companies that allow sabbaticals.
Currently, as the law stands, men can take a break of upto 15 days, though I think this is mainly for government and related organisations. This is only meant for the father to support the mother in the initial days after delivery - it is really not childcare leave; Should the mother want to go back to work 4 months after the delivery and the father step in to take care of the child for some time - currently, not possible. Some IT/other new economy industries, I heard, had begun offering some paternity leave but there is nothing mandatory. Our slow-moving governments of course will take another decade to look into issues like this. There will be the usual arguments about economic loss etc, but doesn’t that stem from a lopsided view of the world where it assumes that it is ‘natural’ for men to work and earn while women ‘can’ work if they want to, but ultimately, we know where their place really is?
you have been awarded
Maybe its time to sell my company
.We allow, upto 15 days of paternity leave but as you said, its for the initial few days after delivery. Our maternity leave is also upto 6 months.Also, we have a career break option, which could be used either to join your spouse, take care of kids or for studies. The general trend was to see women take the “i want to take care of my kids” option. Recently, one of the men came to me for the same. I have to admit, that even I was surprised, and felt the urge to remind him that he will not be paid during the period, and he smiled and said, “I know”. Then it was my turn to get that approved, and of course, the questions were a bit more in his regard rather than in the case of a woman. But, thats where a ‘policy’ helps. The policy says he is eligible and we just need to make sure that nothing is being misused, which is the case even for women. I met him a few days back, he says, life is even more hectic!!!
Having said that, I dont think maternity leave is child care leave. Maternity leave is also during the initial period of pregnancy from 3 months to 6 months. I dont think we should read into this as a patraichal system. It is essential that the baby is fed with breast milk during this period and it has to be the mother. Expecting a law to give leave during childcare for both men and women during this period seems to be a bit far fetched.
BD - nice company
Also, I’m not saying that paternity leave has to be the “same” as maternity leave; obviously there are biological considerations which make the presence of the mother important until weaning. But - that isn’t the only aspect . Besides breast feeding, there is an enormous amount of nappy changing etc to do besides the regular household work, and especially in small families, new mothers find it unbelievably fatiguing. So why not offer the paternity leave and give men the choice as to when they want to use it? Some may choose to use it at the beginning, some may take it later - the guidelines will need to be built, but basically, I think the option should be there.