Should A Man Also Go On Paternity Leave?
I think I’d love to start this article with a prayer which goes thus; may we all marry the perfect person for us. This does not mean the person will be perfect but I mean someone who we will be able to cope and build a family together.
Motherhood isn’t easy and fatherhood isn’t easy as well which means that parenthood isn’t an easy thing at all. The mother may be the one to take care of the kids at home but the father has a massive contribution as well.
I believe that two people carry a pregnancy. It isn’t just the lady or woman who carries a pregnancy. She carries it with her husband. I’m not saying they will share the pregnancy into two but I mean the man will be a part of the care taking process of the pregnant woman. If a man should be a part of the care taking process, if his wife eventually gives birth to the child, I feel he should also take a paternity leave.
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I will tell a story which will be an instance to buttress my point.
There is a woman opposite my shop. She’s heavily pregnant and can’t do a lot of things all by herself even though she’s being strong. Her husband comes to her shop very early in the morning to help her shade out some goods before he goes to work and if he is coming back from work, he stops by at the shop again to help her pack her goods inside.
He’s doing that because he does not want his wife to go through the stress of packing out and in of her goods.
When they get home, who knows if she will have the strength to cook? The husband may be the one to make the food as well and take care of their young ones.
Have you ever thought of what that man or how many things he is doing at a time?
He’s taking care of the home, shop and his workplace which means he’s doing three things at the same time.
Don’t you think such man needs rest? Don’t you think he should take a paternity leave to at least be with his family before he resumes work stress again?
And who says he will have the time to rest at home? He will be at home, supporting his wife to take care of the baby and also cleaning the house especially when they don’t have anyone who could help the wife do all of those things and even if they have, the husband still needs some rest.
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Also, while the wife is pregnant, the husband will be busy looking for funds to buy the baby’s needs before he or she is given birth to. His emotions will be swinging left and right and when it is time for his wife to give birth, he begins to get scared because he never can tell the condition his wife will be after labor. I mean a man going through that kind of emotional stress. Don’t you think he needs rest, I feel he needs enough rest.
That's a valid point that fathers also need paternity leave for that period of time. But I have heard that these leaves are too long and are provided unpaid... So won't this be a budget problem?
That’s why working in a good place is good and it’s good to save before the delivery
Parents need some time, after all, no one is made of steel!
At all
They both need the rest
The task of catering for a child isn't easy at all and men deserve to have the leave, not necessarily to rest but at least have a focus mind to helping their wife, house chores and bond with their child.
It isn’t easy at all
The man needs enough rest too
I used to pity the men, especially the ones who run it all without any assistance.
They need rest too. The body is not a stone!
Yes ooh
Man has to rest
I see how challenging it can be for parents to balance everything, and I think it’s crucial that both mothers and fathers get the support they need.
It's inspiring to see how some dads are actively involved and caring, like the one you mentioned. I think taking paternity leave and ensuring both parents have time to rest and bond with their baby is so important for a healthy family dynamic.
The both of them need leave and it is very important
The prayer you started with is an underrated prayer, many people don't know that marrying wrong is hell on earth.
It’s really going to be a bad one if anyone does
Now this is what I call an exclusive truth, it is quite obvious that women play a significant role in child birth but then the roles men play can not be neglected which makes men eligible for paternity leave just like women.
Exactly my point!!!!
Paternity leave is not a problem but he won't be paid for that leave, I don't think paternity leave is necessary though because the man and woman has family[siblings] that can assist during that period.
What about the assistance he has been giving since she was pregnant?
I mean the way she has been stressing him and all
They need the leave and if you work in a good company, you’d get paid
Yes I also agree with you that men should have some rest. The also need to give some helping hands to their wives
Cos their impact on their wives pregnancy can never be underestimated
Right from pregnancy, nothing is easy. It takes a lot of intentionality and it can be draining. That paternity leave would be really helpful because it will give the fathers time to recover.
Exactly
Men do a lot for their pregnant wives and they deserve some rest
Thank you!