Paid Parental Leave: Different Scenarios Around the World

HomeStrokeVol. 53, No. 1Paid Parental Leave: Different Scenarios Around the World Free AccessResearch ArticlePDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyRedditDiggEmail Jump toFree AccessResearch ArticlePDF/EPUBPaid Parental Leave: Different Scenarios Around the World Ana Claudia de Souza, MD, PhD, Leonardo Augusto Carbonera, MD, MSc and Eva Rocha, MD, PhD Ana Claudia de SouzaAna Claudia de Souza Correspondence to: Ana Claudia de Souza, MD, PhD, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, R. Ramiro Barcelos, 910, 90035-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Email E-mail Address: [email protected] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8722-9988 Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil (A.C.d.S., L.A.C.). Search for more papers by this author , Leonardo Augusto CarboneraLeonardo Augusto Carbonera https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9313-7967 Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil (A.C.d.S., L.A.C.). Search for more papers by this author and Eva RochaEva Rocha https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0981-3919 Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (ER), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil (E.R.). Search for more papers by this author Originally published8 Dec 2021https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.035919Stroke. 2022;53:e23–e25Other version(s) of this articleYou are viewing the most recent version of this article. Previous versions: December 8, 2021: Ahead of Print Human newborns are vulnerable and dependent when compared to other animals. Whereas mammals such as giraffes can walk right after a fall from the mother`s womb, the human baby takes about 1 year on average to be able to walk to their caregivers and more than that to name their current needs.Parents are essential to help guide children’s development during this time and should have the conditions to be available whenever necessary (in this text, parents may refer to either biological, legal parents, or caregivers that assume their role). It is important that parents are assured of having the time, sufficient resources through job-protected paid leave policies and support to provide a comprehensive care for the baby in its first months of life. In this article, we discuss the importance of paid parental leave and the different policies around the world. Also, we provide tips based on the experience of authors who went through the beautiful experience of being parents in the previous year.Overview of Parental Leave Policies Across the GlobeA paid parental leave can support families immediately after childbirth. Over the past two decades, there have been a lot of changes in paid paternal leave policies around the world, with impacts on labor, social, and health outcomes.1 Although data from the WORLD Policy Analysis Center evidenced a raise in provision of paid parental leave and an increase of maternity leave length, over the period of 1995 to 2015, such transformations happened mainly in high-income countries.2The current International Labor Organization recommendations preconize a minimum of 18 weeks of paid maternity leave and paid breastfeeding breaks at work for at least 8 weeks—there is no formal policy regarding the length of paid paternity leave. In 2016, Estonia, was the country that had the longest maternity leave, totalizing 85 weeks, with the mothers continuing to receive their full salary until the child is 18 months. Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Switzerland offered <10 weeks of leave.3 Paid paternity leave is usually shorter than maternity leave, about 1 to 2 weeks after the childbirth. Japan has the longest paid leave for fathers, a total of 30 weeks.3 In Brazil, paid maternity leave varies from 16 weeks to 20 weeks and offers a paid paternity leave for 5 to 20 days—if the father is the only caregiver (eg, adoption), it can be extended up to 120 days. United States of America, Suriname, and Papua New Guinea are some of the 8 countries that offer no paid parental leave, either for mothers or fathers.4 The Table summarizes paid parental leaves in different countries and regions.Table 1. Examples of Paid Parental Leaves Across the GlobeRegion/countryPaid parental leave for mothers, wkPaid parental leave for fathers, wkAmericas Argentina<14<3 Brazil14–25.9<3 Canada≥52≥14 Colombia14–25.9<3 Chile26–51.93–13 Cuba≥52≥14 Mexico<14<3 United States of AmericaNo paid leaveNo paid leaveEast Asia and Pacific Australia14–25.9≥14 China14–25.9No paid leave Japan≥52≥14 New Zealand14–25.9≥14 Singapore14–25.93–13 Thailand<14No paid leave Vietnam26–51.9<3Europe & Central Asia Ireland26–51.9<3 Norway26–51.9≥14 Portugal26–51.9≥14 Russian Federation≥52≥14 Spain14–25.93–13 Sweden≥52≥14 Switzerland14-25.9No paid leave The Netherlands14–25.9<3 Turkey14–25.9<3 United Kingdom26–51.9≥14South Asia Afghanistan<14<3 India26–51.9No paid leave Nepal<14<3 Pakistan<14No paid leaveMiddle East and North Africa Egypt<14No paid leave Iran26–51.9No paid leave Iraq14–25.9No paid leave Israel14–25.93–13 Morocco14–25.9<3 Saudi Arabia<14<3 Syria14–25.9No paid leave United Arab Emirates<14No paid leaveSub-Saharan Africa Angola<14<3 Burundi<14<3 Cabo Verde<14<3 Cameroon14–25.9No paid leave Cote d’Ivoire14–25.9<3 Ethiopia<14No paid leave South Africa14–25.9<3 Sudan<14No paid leaveSource: https://www.worldpolicycenter.org/data-tables/policy/is-paid-leave-available-for-mothers-of-infantsBenefits of Parental LeaveThere are countless benefits of paid parental leave for parents and children, both physical and psychological.2,5 It can guarantee family income, length of breastfeeding, and contribute to support a healthier infant development, with a better childhood immunization rate.2 A paid leave for mothers is essential to the recovery after pregnancy, promotes better chances to a great bond with the child, and could protect and maintain their positions in the labor market. Also, an extended paid maternity leave was associated with fewer maternal depressive symptoms, lower infant mortality rates, and increased breastfeeding duration for at least the first 6 months after childbirth.6In recent years, the adoption of a paid paternity leave helped in gender equality, providing a more equal division of parents’ duties.7 In many European countries, such as Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, focus on paid paternity leave has increased over the last ten years.8A few studies have shown that paid paternity leave also favors the father-child bonding, benefits men’s health by less health-damaging behaviors, and consequently reduces men's death risk.7 Building a secure and organized attachment between an infant and their parent favors brain development and predicts a child’s social and emotional outcome.9Paid parental leave not only benefits the parents but also the employer and society. It has been shown that paid family leave saves money for businesses as it reduces employee turnover and better coordinates wage replacement benefits.10 Engaging governments and institutions by presenting a clear cost-effective proposition for equitable paid parental leave policies is the best way to advocate for progress.Addressing the Challenges of ParenthoodSeek for Healthier Work EnvironmentsWork is a part of your life, not a rival of it. If having children is one of your objectives, choose a workplace that fits your life plan. Have a discussion with your employer and collaborators before maternal/paternal leave on what your expectations are and acknowledge that your plans and needs may change. If you want to participate, some participation or no contact in work decisions, it should be normalized. For employers, expectations should be similar for mothers and fathers alike. Your superiors and colleagues must understand the importance of the parental leave for the family and the society—in fact, they might probably learn good lessons from sharing your duties. And will certainly welcome you back when it is time to get back to work.Importance of Partner Support and Support NetworkIt is important that parents share responsibility in raising the child. If you have a spouse, discuss how to better balance childcare, and align expectations. There is not a rule that fits all and gender should not define a default main caregiver. For some families, one spouse may have more responsibilities or it can be balanced between partners. A way to assess balance between parents is to ask if the other feels overburdened. Also, to be a full-time caregiver is stressful, so be sure to always have someone near to share the duties. Even when both parents are on paid leave, sometimes a break is necessary to guarantee the adequate care. You can search for online support networks, as www.nationalfamilysupportnetwork.org/ in United States, www.wesleymission.org.au in Australia, and http://www.parentinscience.com/ in Brazil.Engage on Policy-Changing InitiativesGet to know what the status of parental leave in your country is and engage in initiatives to promote better workplaces. Start local, from your workplace. Discuss with your male and female colleagues their thoughts about paid parental leave. Involve mothers, fathers, caregivers, and their families. Question the status quo and gather support to change your reality. Contact politicians and representatives to propose paid parental leave bills, using examples of foreign models. Discuss with colleagues worldwide.What Employers Can DoParents should have time to raise their children. Especially, the first months of life are intense, as milestones are reached, and bonds of affection are created. Think what the real impact is of some months of shared home-work duties on the career of your employee, your corporate results, and their children´s development. You will probably see that the position aimed or the paper that needs to be published can wait a few months for your employee to enjoy every moment with their children—the children grow whether the parents are near or not. The end of the parental leave does not need to be abrupt—encourage gradual return to duties, with part-time presential work, reduction of night shifts, or breaks for breastfeeding. Some companies worldwide offer kindergarten/babysitting services near the workplace, which facilitates the breastfeeding and care for specific needs and help in the return of the mother to work.ConclusionsThe differences in the length of parental leave and payments diverge between genders and around the world. There is still a need to reform national policies through job-protected paid leave for sufficient periods, reducing gender inequality, and assisting in the well-being and children’s development. A society that values and supports their children’s care can achieve long-term social, health, and economic benefits.Article InformationSources of FundingNone.Disclosures None.FootnotesThe opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the editors or of the American Heart Association.For Sources of Funding and Disclosures, see page e25.Correspondence to: Ana Claudia de Souza, MD, PhD, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, R. Ramiro Barcelos, 910, 90035-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Email [email protected]comReferences1. Nandi A, Jahagirdar D, Dimitris MC, Labrecque JA, Strumpf EC, Kaufman JS, Vincent I, Atabay E, Harper S, Earle Aet al.. 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The impact of paid maternity leave on the mental and physical health of mothers and children: a review of the literature and policy implications.Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2020; 28:113–126. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000246Google Scholar6. Jou J, Kozhimannil KB, Abraham JM, Blewett LA, McGovern PM. Paid maternity leave in the United States: associations with maternal and infant health.Matern Child Health J. 2018; 22:216–225. doi: 10.1007/s10995-017-2393-xGoogle Scholar7. Månsdotter A, Lindholm L, Winkvist A. Paternity leave in Sweden: costs, savings and health gains.Health Policy. 2007; 82:102–115. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2006.09.006Google Scholar8. Rege M, Solli IF. The impact of paternity leave on fathers’ future earnings.Demography. 2013; 50:2255–2277. doi: 10.1007/s13524-013-0233-1Google Scholar9. Benoit D. Infant-parent attachment: definition, types, antecedents, measurement and outcome.Paediatr Child Health. 2004; 9:541–545. doi: 10.1093/pch/9.8.541Google Scholar10. Appelbaum E, Milkman R. Leaves that pay: employer and worker experiences with paid family leave in California.2012;1–34.Google Scholar Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails January 2022Vol 53, Issue 1Article InformationMetrics © 2021 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.035919PMID: 34875843 Originally publishedDecember 8, 2021 Keywordsparentsparental leavechildcaregiversPDF download Advertisement SubjectsDisparities