Raising a child in Florida can be seen as a full-time job. The question for many parents is whether or not they can afford to take time off to attend to this duty. The matter becomes even more complex when the subject of leave for male parents is raised. This issue is becoming more widespread and public across the entire U.S.
Paid leave for male parents is controversial
Paid leave for paternity is an issue that has proven to be controversial for several reasons. One of them is employers’ concerns over providing this type of leave to a larger number of employees. Some claim such measures can lead to a dip in efficiency and productivity. This, in turn, can hurt the economy.
It is also true that some more traditionally conservative elements of society view child raising as largely gendered work. They are thus more reluctant to grant paid leave for male parents. However, many health and family experts point to recent studies showing stronger support for paternity leave. This is true in the U.S. and many other nations.
What are the benefits of paternity leave?
One of the least talked about aspects of paternity is the post-partum depression that some men can suffer from. A spate of recent studies has suggested that the number of men who suffer from this condition may be as high as 8 to 10%. This type of depression occurs most often when the child is between 3 and 6 months old.
Children need a strong father figure in their lives. This is as true at the beginning of their lives as it is later on. Paid paternity leave can go a long way toward addressing this vital need.