We see more activities, research, legislation and events about shared parenting
and positive father involvement like ever before. Not only in the Nordic
countries, but also on a European and International level.
This is based on the Council of Europe Resolution 2079 about Equality and Shared
Parenting responsibility: the role of fathers[1]. The
background for the European Commission decision on at least 4-month parental leave
for parents in all member countries by august 2nd 2022.
At least the 2 non-transferable months must be adequately compensated at a level to be decided in each EU country (as of 2 August 2024 for the last 2 weeks).
Parents have the right to request taking the leave in a flexible way (part-time and in a piecemeal way).
This parental leave decision is probably one of the best investments we can
make for the society. It creates love and care for the children though out
their lives by both parents.
It facilitates better parenting, shared parenting, positive father involvement
and equal opportunities for all citizens and a truly free choice for men and
women, boys and girls in both work and family life. Parental leave for both
parents is therefor in line and an important step towards the UN Global Goals in
year 2030[3].
If we want to create equal opportunities for women in work life. We simply also
need to create equal opportunities and new legislation for fathers and children
in family life. If we don’t the children will be losers in modern society. That
is not in the best interest of the children.
The Nordic region is in daily life the most gender equal region in the world. However,
on family reforms several US states and Belgium has implemented equal parenting
time as the basic assumption by law moving beyond the Nordic countries.
That said parental leave for both parents are 1 of 10 important strategic
themes in which we need to change our understanding, behavior, and legislation
as illustrated in the Nordic Equality Index 2022[4].
This to be in line with the modern society related to open information,
transparency, freedom of choice as well as the UN Global goals towards 2030.
Nordic fathers that have had 3, 6 or 9 months of parental leave know that it is one of the greatest, most awarding and funniest experiences in life. They experience that later in life they have the same love and caring bond to their children as we traditionally have seen and talk about between mothers and children.
Parental leave for both parents is indeed positive for society, the families, and the children speaking to parents that have experience it and seen the positive effects.
Finland and Denmark have been behind countries like Iceland, Sweden, and Norway on parental leave for father's due to the lack of legal rights, but both countries have now made new law reforms starting August 2nd, 2022.
The Danish Parliament have decided new parental leave legislation giving both parents 50% /50% equal rights to 24 months of parental leave with 11 weeks being non-transferable and 13 weeks transferable by the parent to the other parent.
The reforms look great, but as with most Nordic reforms it must work in all family forms both when parents are living together and not, which applies for 33-50% of the Nordic children today. The Nordic reforms therefore could be behind even when they are decided. It is an important human rights challenge currently to secure children and parents in all family forms by the ministries in the family law.
Nordic Surveys
The Danish Fathers Association have asked 2000 fathers[5] about their experiences and challenges on paternity leave. A new Nordic survey with approx. 4500 Nordic fathers[6] will soon be published with almost identical results on parental leave for fathers.
The key findings are:
The best thing about paternity leave is the love and relation between the father and child.
More than 70% of the fathers stated they would like a longer period.
An earmarked paternity leave model is the preferred model.
Nearly 50% state that there is a lack of family and father groups in society.
20% of the father’s state that the full leave period was not registered or paid, because they paid themselves or used holidays or other type of leave.
So, looking ahead we are in for a Nordic baby boost with fathers walking around everywhere with children. That will be fun.
The benefit is a closer, more loving, and caring positive relationship between fathers and children that will benefit not only the children, families, but also the mothers and our society.
Parental leave for both parents is in the best interest of the children documented already by reel life experiences and research on children health and public welfare today.
Parental leave for fathers is an important step on the way to reach the United Nations Global Goals in year 2030. The Nordic countries can and should lead the way on this positive development for society, families, and the children.
Just as the Nordic countries did when the United Nations was created after the 2nd world war to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and achieve international cooperation. This not at least in today’s global society.
References:
[1] PACE - Resolution 2079 (2015) - Equality and shared parental responsibility: the role of fathers (coe.int)
[2] EUR-Lex - 32019L1158 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
[3] THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development (un.org)
[4] Nordic Equality Index 2022 (worldparents.org)
[5] Christine Simon, Harvard and Jesper Lohse, MBA https://youtu.be/-JQ0tqyavNA
[6] Coming soon on worldparents.org