CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

Fathers Closing the Gap on Parental Leave

Paid leave has gained significant support from researchers and policymakers across the political spectrum. Paid family and medical leave (PFML), which allows parents to bond with a new baby, acknowledges the important role of childbirth in women’s lives as they strive to balance work and family responsibilities. And while it benefits all families, paid leave can be particularly valuable for vulnerable populations with limited resources. Parents and other family caregivers experience psychosocial stress and opportunity costs due to the competing demands of labor market participation and household caregiving responsibilities. Paid leave can mitigate these stresses.

Another positive development associated with greater availability of paid family leave is the increased use of paid leave by fathers following the birth of a child, an area that has received relatively little attention. Recent claims data indicate that in states where paid leave programs have been implemented, men’s use of paid leave to bond with a newborn has risen in recent years. Indeed, the availability of paid leave for working men may enhance the quality and stability of couple relationships and promote father’s involvement from the early stages of a child’s life.

In fact, the gender difference in paid family leave usage at the time of a child’s birth has narrowed substantially over time (see Figure 1). Analyzing data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation, we see that among parents employed before the birth of their first child, women consistently use paid family or parental leave more than........

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