Paternity Leave Extended in Spain

1. What is your opinion on this new entitlement for fathers in Spain?
In my opinion it is a good first step to the parenthood equality but there is still a long way to go.

2. What do you think are the pros and cons of this new rule?
PROS:
-For dads, the opportunity to live the first stage of their parenthood in a full way, to adopt the new habits, to do their duties, not to act only as the mother’s assistants (a huge opportunity that not al fathers and neither all mothers wants them do assume).
-For mums, the opportunity to really share their parenthood duties, to build confidence on their partners on their kids care and to free them from an excessive load. Raising a child is not just for women. A new mum has the right to remain a woman and a professional, just like a new dad.
– For companies, the opportunity to be less swayed by a candidate’s gender when it comes to hiring and to start opening their minds and to evolve in this aspect.

CONS: for everyone. If the paternity leave has consequences in the companies or if a big number of men don’t take the paternity leave, it wouldn’t be useful for men in general, for women and for the whole society neither.

3. Discuss your opinion on this statement: “The fact that women are able to leave their jobs for longer is detrimental to them professionally as it makes them seem less committed to their jobs”.
In my opinion, it is true. When a woman becomes a mum she needs to stay at home with her baby for a couple of months for sure but, after this period of time, is she don’t have the support of her partner, family or domestic help, she will probably need to use part of her professional time to go to the doctor with her child or to stay with him/her at home after the nursery. For companies/employers the less availavility is understood as less commitment with the company.

4. How can we change the norm where women are the ones who most often reduce their working hours for care purposes of children and elderly dependents?
We need to start changing the mindset of society and firtstable, of women. For years and years of history women has been the main family caregivers. There is something instinctive in all of us. This sentiment is evolving but, as all the social and historical evolution, the movement is slow. Some changes on the regulation can help. New measures as the “hour bank” included in the article can also help. The rising of woman CEOs will help for sure. In my opinion the micro-movements in every family is what really can make the difference. Our generation are opening big doors. The new generation may consolidate this steps and make it “normal” at every home.

5. If you are a mom or a dad, talk about your experience during your maternity or paternity leave/s.
My experience was so hard and so poorly balanced that I filed for divorce when my daughter was 4 months old. It is far better to raise a child alone than to have a person next to you who does nothing at all.