The Power of Paternity Leave in Shaping the Next Generation

As global conversations around parenting continue to evolve, one aspect rising steadily to the forefront is paternity leave. While maternity leave has long been recognized as essential, evidence suggests that leave taken by fathers also plays a pivotal role in shaping child development outcomes and yielding significant returns for families and societies.

Impacts on Children’s Wellbeing and Gender Equality

Paternity leave refers to the policy that allows new fathers to take time away from work. A growing number of studies affirm the wide-ranging benefits of paternity leave for children, parents, and societies. From a child development perspective, early paternal involvement contributes significantly to emotional stability, cognitive growth, and behavioral outcomes.

In terms of education, for instance, research shows that longer paternity leaves are associated with reduced school absenteeism and increased perseverance in children. Moreover, findings from the Swedish Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy (IFAU) reveal that children whose fathers took leave shortly after birth performed better academically at age 16, especially in language and problem-solving skills.

For families, paternity leave fosters more equitable sharing of childcare and household duties, which can relieve the burden on mothers and enhance relationship satisfaction. When fathers participate in early childcare, it leads to lasting shifts in gender norms both at home and in the workplace. This practice also models an example for children in their first, smallest socialization unit, of a system that does not hinge on traditional gender roles. All these benefits drive a society that centers children’s wellbeing and gender equality.

Global Implementations

Almost all countries around the world have implemented paternity leave as part of supporting fathers’ roles in families, though the duration of the leave varies. Indonesia has one of the shortest leave periods with only two days, while the United States does not have a national law mandating paid leave for fathers yet.

Some examples of best practices on the policy come from Nordic countries.  Sweden, for instance, introduced paid parental leave for both parents as early as the 1970s. Currently, it offers up to 480 days of paid leave per child, with 90 days reserved exclusively for each parent to encourage equal participation.

In Iceland, fathers are entitled to three months of non-transferable paid leave, which has led to one of the highest paternal involvement rates globally. Empirical studies from these regions highlight consistent improvements in child health, academic achievement, and parental satisfaction. These models demonstrate that generous and well-structured paternity leave can reshape family dynamics and support healthier societies.

Meanwhile, a study conducted in Singapore highlights that a longer leave period, about two weeks or more, reduces family conflict, increases marital satisfaction, and enhances father-child closeness, which in turn improves children’s behavior.

A Global Call for Paternity Leave

The global expansion of paternity leave represents not just a social reform but a strategic investment in the future. As the world strives for inclusivity, equality, and children’s wellbeing, the hope remains that the policy will become a universal standard, not a regional privilege.

Introducing paternity leave as an integral part of family policy must become a priority in countries lacking implementation. At the same time, strengthening maternity leave to become more comprehensive and targeted, as well as improving childcare access, must also continue. All in all,  it is essential to promote inclusive, comprehensive policies with input and participation from the most relevant stakeholders from all walks of life, without leaving anyone behind.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma & Kresentia Madina

Subscribe to Green Network Asia
Strengthen your personal and professional development with cross-sectoral insights on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development across the Asia Pacific and beyond.

Select Your Subscription Plan