Fathers and Family Leave Policies: What Public Policy Can Do to Support Families

Abstract

There are various types of family leave available to fathers across and within countries. The specific design features of family leave policies are associated with how well used they are by fathers, and the key features associated with higher take up by fathers are presented here. There is an emerging literature on the various impacts of fathers on leave in relation to factors such as family health and well-being and gender equality in the labour market. In particular, fathers and family leave are important for a good quality of infant life. Finally, the chapter considers ways in which employers can support fathers in the workplace to take leave, in light of the range of associated benefits.

Review article: Parenting leaves, workplace characteristics, male health, and the pandemic: Currents in policy-related fatherhood research in higher income countries

“…These design features of leave policies are often the focus of research. Intended policy outcomes for leave policies vary, but certainly some policy actors have seen them as an instrument for increasing the possibilities for fathers to spend time caring for infants (Caracciolo di Torella, 2014; Koslowski & O'Brien, 2022;O'Brien, 2009), with knock on effects for female labour market participation which in turn may positively impact household financial well-being (Andersen, 2018).…”

“…These may include a concern for maternal health, infant well-being, fertility, labour market policy as well as gender equality (Moss et al, 2019). We know that where fathers take parental leave, there are many positive effects such as for their female partners' employment, the relationship between parents and time spent over the lifecourse on childcare and domestic work (for a summary see Koslowski & O'Brien, 2022). There is a literature which considers the benefits to children from increased father involvement (see Yogman & Eppel, 2022).…”

Comparative Family Policies in Nordic World and China: Learning from Nordic Model to Help Chinese Women in Corporations

“…Therefore, although women's power is greater nowadays in China and more of the younger generation support fatherhood, there are barriers to going further. Nevertheless, Li and Liuargue that this might not be a great concern in the longer term as the younger generation in China will take their places and support fatherhood [26].…”