Economic implications

• Impact of increased involvement of father on employment laws and policy

  • the relative importance of fathers and their ability to play an equal role of caregiver sensitivity has led to changes in paternity laws
  • shared paternal leave has been introduced so that the father can spend more time at home with their new born baby
  • previously, it was only possible for the father to have 2 weeks paternity leave which has implications for employers
• Why is shared parental leave a 'double edged sword'?

  • it may reduce males in the workforce as they seek to take more leave when they have children
  • allows mothers to take less leave and return to work
• Dividing leave 


  • each partner works part time, meaning less cover issues in work forces
  • impact of dividing leave = levelling of the gender pay gap as parents seek for equality in workplace
  • the parents take joint primary attachment status