Mon, 28 May 2012
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Dutch Youth and Family Minister André Rouvoet wants a culture change on the work floor to make it more acceptable for fathers to take paternity leave.At the moment it is considered normal for mothers to work less, but fathers hardly ever work one day less after a child is born.
Freedom to choose
The minister has called for research into the reasons why men do not take up paternity leave. He believes the freedom to choose for fathers is limited by fixed perceptions. For instance many men believe they have less chances of promotion if they work part- time.
They are also discouraged from using the facilities open to them. According to the minister “A modern labour market means that families should be able to decide for themselves how they want to combine their professional and private lives.”
Relay parenthood
Today's edition of Trouw reports on a thesis by Professor Melinda Mills at the University of Groningen on what she calls “relay parenthood”. Her research reveals that 30 percent of parents work irregular hours. Often the mother has a part-time job in the weekend while father works full-time.
US research shows that this model undermines family life. Parents who take turns in looking after the children argue and divorce more often. According to Professor Mills, the advantage of this model is that fathers spend substantially more time with their children.
This may not be the model Minister Rouvoet wants to promote, but he thinks it is too easy for women to work less, while men are expected to keep working full-time. “The question is whether this meets the wishes of many fathers who want to see their children grow up and of many mothers who want to develop professionally.”
Nicola Chadwick
Radio Netherlands
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