Men's studies: Recently corporations gave men "Paternal leave". Why are so many men forfeiting this benefit?

Answer 1

Evidence, please, that "men are forfeiting this benefit."

Answer 2

If you are writing a paper, make sure you have factual evidence you can point to so that you can support that point.

I am guessing you already have that answer and are looking for possible reasons why individual men would forfeit such a benefit.

What people often forget, especially individuals coming from higher earning families, is that there are a lot of costs involved in raising a family. If the mother and the father both take leave, who is going to bring in the money? Families often don't get paid during leave. So how beneficial is this benefit?

With the continued shakeup of familial roles, there are some who would employ this benefit, so I would argue that it be continued for those individuals. But it should not be surprising that someone in the household continues to work despite having a new child. A new mouth to feed in the family is expensive.

Answer 3

Everyone that I've ever known that has that benefit uses 100% of it.

Most companies do not offer paid leave for fathers at all.

And for the companies that do have a paternity leave benefit, it is always much shorter than maternity leave.

I am not aware of even one company that has equivalent paid paternity and maternity leave benefits.

Where's the screaming and shouting about that discrimination?

EDIT:

Poster below. You *not* incorrect. Americans *do* earn the highest salaries in many job categories, but not all.

Moreover, Americans keep more of their money. Americans pay far less in taxes than do Europeans or Canadians (no GST), especially those poor Scandinavians.

For example, those poor Danes you cite get taxed at an incredible 59%! I guess they're staying home for their 8 weeks of vacation.

I think I'll keep my measly 4 weeks of vacation, my halfway reasonable US % tax rate, and actually be able to afford to go somewhere on vacation without the risk of bumping into any vacation-rich, but tax-poor Danes.

EDIT II:

It is interesting (and, once again, revealing) that feminists don't cite the American FMLA policy as at least the most equal in the world (albeit with no $ attached).

It is the only policy in the world that demands that men and women be treated equally. And childless people too, for that matter.

I thought feminists were about wanting equality?

Answer 4

It remains to be demonstrated that souls exist, despite some popular religions' assertions concerning such. But from the perspective of Christianity the answer to the question is "incomparable value", which renders odd the poor efforts and especially inactivity of many believers in attempting to communicate with and convince others. But then, on sober pondering, I don't think I have a soul. My e-mail is always open for anyone who thinks they have a good case why I am wrong.

Answer 5

They can't afford it. Seriously, it's a great idea, but at a time when expenses are sky-high, such as after the birth of a new baby, many families can't afford it. That leave is bound to be unpaid. And if they *could* afford it, odds are hubby's job is important enough that they'd need him back pretty quick.

My husband took two weeks with our first child, (unpaid), then went back on only three days a week for about 3 months. Bless his heart! :-) That was when he was consulting, though, so he was able to set his own schedule. Subsequent babies have had to make do with just the two weeks "vacation" time, since he's no longer self-employed. He would love to do the part-time thing for a few months, though - new babies are only new once!

Grey: Your post is quite true. Hubby and I are both Scandinavian - perhaps that is part of why we both assumed that he would spend as much time as possible with the new arrival. We tend to be more "European" about our values - family time always comes first, unlike many American parents.

Answer 6

Not to undermine your question, but my husband took his "Paternal leave" both times and loved very much being with his new babies the first several weeks of their lives. But I would love to see statistics on men forfeiting their benefit.

Answer 7

Not sure if men are giving up this benefit. Do you have evidence to support that?

Answer 8

If that's true, I would guess (it's only a guess) that some men aren't comfortable spending time with their families. While most men love their families dearly, many seem uncomfortable with getting really close and knowing how to spend "quality time" with them.

Answer 9

Because most men believe that raising children is women's work.

Answer 10

Possibly.. most men would rather go to work than take care of a winey, smelly baby all day. Thats my guess.