Nearly half of fathers did not use parental leave! Even in her case Holiday to care for the child, which was valid for up to 2 days until 2021 (it was extended to 14 days by law 4808/2021), only 34% of fathers say they received it. These figures, which are indicative of a mentality that even today wants raising children to be a mother’s “work”, were presented yesterday at an event held in conjunction with women from above as well as Konrad Adenauer Foundation Greece and Cyprus on the topic “Paternity and parental leave: equal participation of men in childcare”. These are the first results of a major study of barriers to men’s use of parental leave, conducted by QED on behalf of Women On Top. As WoT co-founder Stella Kasdagli said, “an equal distribution of caregiving responsibilities is essential for women’s equal participation in the labor market and in decision-making.”

In particular, 47% of surveyed fathers (who have children under 12 and work in the private sector) answered that they did not use parental leave. The reasons for not using parental leave were, they said, that their partner used it (31%) because they had increased obligations at work (28%) because they did not know that such an opportunity existed ( 23%). and because they will be negatively evaluated by superiors (20%). Other reasons cited include fear of being fired or a reduction in income, a negative impression from colleagues, and difficulty adjusting to work after taking a vacation. Once again: all this for a period of absence from work of only 2 or (from 2021) 14 days!

Lack of information

As the study shows, the lack of information about parental leave is very large, with the lowest level of knowledge about parental leave (remember that in addition to maternity leave, each working parent or parental caregiver has an individual and non-transferable the right to parental leave for the care of a child of 4 months, which can be used continuously or in parts until the child reaches the age of 8). Maternity leave seems to be the only one clearly recognized by more than 50% of respondents.

As can be seen from the study, gender stereotypes are even more pronounced in matters of paternity. 58% of men (either fathers of children under 12, or men planning to have a child in the next 1-4 years) believe that the labor market “punishes” men who take parental leave. 28% of men say that if a male colleague were to take parental leave, they would consider it detrimental to their career. 27% of men believe that when both parents work, the responsibility for children should lie with the woman. 20% of men agree that working mothers cannot be as loving as non-working mothers. 21% of men believe that men who take multiple days of parental leave are not committed enough to their careers.

At the same time, 26% of women and 33% of men believe that men should support the family, and women should supplement the family income. 24% of women and 32% of men believe that it is the duty of women to adapt their lives to the needs of the family, and 27% of men believe that women should be responsible for housework.

Those who… dared

Of fathers who have taken parental leave, 8% say they have developed physical and emotional care skills, 77% of men report developing empathy skills, and 77% say they have developed communication skills.

On the other hand, of those who did not take parental leave, 33% report that the decision had no impact on their personal lives, and 35% report that they felt guilty about their limited parenting presence. child. “The role of politics is also educational,” Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Maria Syregela said at yesterday’s event. “Let’s legislate and implement, and thus change the culture.”

Numbers

47% fathers responded that they did not use parental leave.

38% women and 58% of men believe that the labor market “punishes” men who take parental leave.

26% women and 33% of men believe that men should provide for the family, and women should supplement the family income.

27% men believe that when both parents work, the responsibility for raising children should lie with the woman.

twenty% men agree that working mothers cannot be as loving as non-working mothers.