Should maternity/paternity leave be more offered?

Question

Certain jobs, such as professors, do not receive any maternity/paternity leave. High school teachers are offered very little leave for parents.

Should companies, businesses, schools, or colleges offer paid maternity/paternity leave? Why or why not?

And if not, what does this say about the role of parents in the career world and are parents being pushed out of competitive fields? If so, will this be a problem in the future for society (such as having children being seen as a negative instead of a positive)?

Answer 1

I've never heard of a company that offers paternity leave.  Of course, most employers will let their employees off for a few days, but I've never heard of anything like that that's official.

I think it should be offered for a while, maybe a couple of weeks for fathers, and a month for mothers.

That's for paid leave.  Unpaid leave should be offered for a little while longer, for mothers in particular.  You can't let someone take a year off though, or anything like that.  It's too much to expect employers to allow that, and it's unfair to single people with no kids who are actually working at their jobs.  Single people already get screwed over everywhere else, we don't need to add to that list.

Meagan- Most professors work during the summer too, and so do many teachers (summer school).

Snufkin- I'm in the US.  It's hard to get off for anything here at most companies.

Answer 2

No.

There are far too many people on this planet.

Apart from the mother, maternity leave benefits no-one - not the apparently unwanted child, not society, not the employer, not the planet.

If you want to have a child, save up yourself. Don't expect everyone else to support it for you.

Answer 3

Without more help from the State women will just stop making babies.  That's what has happened in Europe and governments are freaked out about what to do.  There will be millions of retirees living seemingly forever - and nobody in the work force.

Answer 4

Yes they should.  There should be more of an effort to do this.  Why?  Because it's more civilized-most people dedicate their lives to working and get very little (that matters, besides money) in return.  

Children will be raised more away from their parents.  They will be raised by the State.  

Answer 5

This probably depends on which country you live in. Some countries have very generous maternity and paternity leave entitltements, others don't.

If you country has a more limited set of entitlements, it's a good thing to take up with your elected representative, as they are the ones who make laws to give people these very basic rights.

Cheers ;-)

Answer 6

An old job of mine offered paid paternity leave, up to 4 weeks. I thought it was great, and rather innovative for a retail establishment and for the times (mid-1990's).

I think it's sad that companies don't offer paternity leave. Fathers should have just as much time to bond with their kids as mothers do, if they want to. And they shouldn't be penalized for taking the time off, either - just like a new mother shouldn't. Having kids is what keeps the world moving, and not allowing parents time with them is what's making so many spoiled brats because they overcompensate for their absence by buying their kids affection.

Answer 7

all other countries do it. Here in England we get 9 months and 2 weeks paternity pay. This is hopefully soon changing so men and women can split the maternity leave equally.

Colonel Reb - In England there is 2 weeks official paternity leave thata you get on top of your annual leave for every father

Answer 8

That should be an option of the business and not a govt mandate.  

You as a prospective employee have the right to choose the job with best benefits.  Some businesses will offer it and others will not.  Some businesses such as those struggling or few employees could not survive allowing long-term maternity leave especially with pay.  Ask your prospective employer about the maternity policy before you decide which job to take.  

As a parent its your job to set your own priorities and sacrifices and make decisions accordingly.  That's just one of the reasons its important to have a two-parent family.  I'm not much of a traditionalist but it stands to reason that two parents will be better able to provide for a child.  Whether the man stays home or the woman depends on the family decision and earning potential.

Answer 9

To me it is not a complicated issue: if my government wants its subjects to have children these day and age, accommodating conditions should be provided for them. Let's for example look at Sweden: a mother or a father of a newborn child has an option to take care of their baby for the entire year, while their job will be waiting for their return. So, mother stays home for half of that time and a father takes over for next six months. This way, people are encouraged to have babies, and children grow up knowing both of their parents. Now, how is it that Swedish people were smart enough to recognize the importance of hands on childcare for both parents of a baby, and Americans are not? And what does a profession of a parent has to do with his / her need to take care of their baby?

Answer 10

No ! , why should a woman's decision to get pregnant be her employers , co-workers  or the governments problem ?

What if I want to ( metaphorically ) give birth to a new custom bike, shouldn't I get paid leave to pursue my hobby too ?

Answer 11

They get all summer off every crappy holiday an spring breaks teachers an professors should have no issues with that they get already. Have the kid in the summer.

Answer 12

Absolutely. I'm a huge supporter of social welfare as well. I believe the state has a duty to support solo mothers who cannot work as well. Wasting time on court cases with deadbeat dads helps no one and just creates resentment for example.

edit: what about State run business and enterprises Jeff? Privately owned businesses I agree, but universities are generally state funded

Answer 13

I don't think they should be paid.

If they are truly devoted to their work they wouldn't be having a child at such a time.

Answer 14

Paid paternal leaves are unfair to unchilded and childfree employees. It is like giving parents a bonus vacation, especially fathers, who are not physically recovering from a pregnancy and delivery. I can certainly understand that new parents want to be home with their newborns, but I do not think this should be paid unless a similar paid leave is offered to unchilded workers.

Professors and teachers have a 2-3 month paid leave every summer. A lot of them plan their pregnancies so that they deliver during the summer and thus can have several weeks to spend with their newborns. People in other professions don't have that luxury, so I really don't feel sorry for them.