This article introduces a series from the Guardian that explores the experiences of fathers on paternity leave or caring full-time for their children. The article highlights paternity leave practices in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, where very low numbers of two-parent families are using paternity leave or shared parental leave that's available to them. What's more, says the article, "the US is one of only eight countries in the world, and the only developed country, with no national policy guaranteeing paid leave for either parent of a newborn. Some states and companies have introduced policies for dads and partners but take-up is still relatively rare."
The article asks, and explores the reasons why more fathers aren't taking time out of employment to care for their children. "Places with successful paternity leave schemes make it mandatory for both partners to take a portion of the paid leave available," says the article. "When Germany legislated that, of a possible 14 months parental leave, two months must be taken by fathers, the percentage of men taking paternity leave went from 3% to more than 20% – in only two years. After Quebec introduced a similar scheme with “daddy-only” time, more than 80% of dads took up the offer."
This series from the Guardian shares the stories of seven fathers who "are unanimous in valuing the time they spend out of their paid employment to work at home with their children. All of them urge other men to take the plunge. They are keen to be involved in leading a culture change and to advocate for legislative change that would make it easier financially for men to have time at home with their babies."