Amy+and+Cheyanne

//[|Pushing Paternity Leave Helps Working Mothers]//

In the article, //Pushing Paternity Leave Helps Working Woman,// by KJ DELL'ANTONIA, the author readdresses the point made by New York Times economics reporter Catherine Rampell in her recent article //Incentive for Men, to Help Women Work// that discussed how men with a good incentive can help women in their careers by using their paternity leave to take care of things at home while their spouse grows their career or contributes more to the economy. The author also states how in some situations where paternity leave is common "societal norms" can change. She provides an example of how some men would start to do more domestic tasks and focus on child care. Whereas, the women would spend more time working.
 * Abstract:**


 * Discussion Questions:**
 * 1) What is the purpose of leave?
 * 2) Do you think paternity leave makes a difference on a father's dedication and help raising a child?
 * 3) What are the expectations of mothers and fathers regarding maternity/paternity leave, and staying home with the baby? If more jobs offered paternity leave, how would that dynamic change?
 * 4) Have social stigmas prevented fathers from seeking paternity leave in the past? What do you think caused the new push for maternity/paternity leave equality?
 * 5) Should maternity/paternity leave apply to non-fertile parents, elderly couples, adoptive parents or gay couples?

From this article, I learned how a new outlook about paternity leave for men can have a positive outcome for both parents of a child. Since people usually associate paternity leave for only women many are not aware of the fact that men are also able to take leave from work to be with their children. I believe that this option that men have is a positive one because if he were to stay home from work, then he could build a stronger relationship with his child and at the same time his spouse could have the opportunity to build a career for her.
 * Cheyanne's Response:**


 * Amy's Response:**

Before reading this article, I initially thought that 'leave' was only for mothers having a baby. The leave is meant to help pregnant mothers because they are unable to work. I realized my thinking was very wrong seeing as my mother continued working all the way through my sister's birth. Leave is actually to give time for parents to form bonds with their child, which will be the roots of their relationship. A mother already has a head start with her relationship with her child if she is pregnant, so a father may need the leave more to catch up in forming a relationship with the child. Since the article refers to the beginnings of a parent's relationship with their child as the foundation of the care and guilt they will give to the child's life. Not saying a father does not care about his child if he does not take paternity leave, but after spending more time with his child, sacrificing and splitting time for the child will become a norm. Since maternity/paternity leave is about forming relationships, leave should also apply with the child, non-fertile, elderly couples, gay couples and adoptive parents.