DEBATEitOUT.comDebate online with people!

I think men should definitely get paternity leave if they are to be the sole caretaker. The woman, of course, requires a leave for medical recovery. But, if she is to return to work while her husband remains at home, then he should be allowed leave to care for the newborn.

I was home with my son for 6,5 months of paid paternity leave. It was great! Not only to bond with my kid, but to take stock of my life. When do we ever get that amount of time away from the rat race so we can rediscover our passions, dust off old dreams, etc? For me, I took back the initiative in my own life, left my job and started working on MY dreams instead of my employer’s. And wound up a happier man.
In short, of course you guys should also have paternity leave! For all sorts of reasons.
/Henrik in Stockholm, Sweden

The initial 12 weeks of maternity leave that the mother gets is not only to care for the child but also to recover from the ordeal of childbirth. Childbirth takes a huge toll on your body and you need weeks to recover. The first 12 weeks after childbirth are hell on your body. Men don't need to recover from childbirth. They don't need to put their body through daily pain breastfeeding. They are perfectly capable of returning to work after the child is born. This is why paid paternity leave often isn't there.

Yes, I think any pregnant person should be granted paternity leave.

Yea. I think today's society, everyone pretty much thinks the mother has the most impact on the child, but both have the same amount of impact. If a guy needs to take off, let him take off.

yes he should…he is a new parent too and his body is strained as well.

Yeah, I do think fathers should be given paternity leave – their wives need emotional support after giving support. Women can take on the physical pain of child rearing, but the heavy feelings are more difficult to deal with. They need the man in their lives more than ever. Men can also get a close feel of their offspring which could put life more into perspective. However, for this to happen a man's company must prioritize family as it prioritize business operations.

we're talking about the fathers, the ones who aren't pregnant, but still deserve the time off

I very nush so agree that the women needs paternity leave to recover, but what about those women who get C sections? The majority of the time, women are in so much pain, or even infected by their C section. Having another care taker would definately help around the house, therfore; I bevlieve men should have paternity leave because that is extra help needed. Not only that but if they are having their fist child together, the father needs to be their for help and support.

i think men should be given a paternity leave so that the will be able to know the well being of their wife after their wife might have given birth.

Agreed! Paternal leave helps promote mother's welfare. Especially in the early infancy stages where no sleep pattern is yet to be established by the child and the mothers rest is essential. The U.S. military encourages paternal leave these days, however mission comes first. I recieved paternal leave after returning from deployment. I was home on R&R and my wife and I were fortunate that timing was perfect. R&R only allows two weeks and so five days later I had to return to my assignment downrange. It sucked but we were grateful everything just worked out the way it did. What about paternal leave? No problem, the military hooked me up with my 10 days of paternal leave upon returning from deployment. Many members assigned to infantry battallions may find it harder to recieve this privilege because of mission priorities and their relation to Brigade objectives. It is only fair that employers observe the need for what is in the best interest of the company as well. I mean afterall you do have approximately nine months to plan ahead if you and your loved one's suspect that paternal leave may not be possible.