Author:
Kaufman, Gayle, author.
ImprintNew York : New York University Press, [2020]
Descriptionxi, 239 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm
Note:Introduction -- The US is way behind the rest of the world -- Parental leave is good -- Too much parental leave is not good -- Fathers as partners, not helpers -- The UK is not a good model -- Sweden is great but not perfect -- Conclusion: the six month solution.
Bibliography Note:Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-227) and index.
Note:What do Papua New Guinea, Suriname, and the United States have in common? These three nations are the only ones that do not offer some form of parental leave to new parents. The US lags far behind the rest of the world on this important issue, raising questions about our commitment to gender equality and the welfare of our families. In Fixing Parental Leave, Gayle Kaufman takes an in-depth look at parental leave policies in the US, the UK, and Sweden, and evaluates the benefits and drawbacks of leave policies in each country. She finds that there is more to parental leave policies than whether a country provides time off around the birth or adoption of a child. While most policies are designed to help women return to work, this is only half of the puzzle. The second half requires men to be meaningful partners by encouraging them to take equal time at home. Ultimately, Kaufman arrives at a rational solution that will promote gender equity through a policy that enables parents at companies of all sizes to spend six months with their new child.
