More Dads Need to Take Parental Leave
Father’s Day is coming up this Sunday so let’s use the occasion for more than just cards and barbecues.
Let’s talk about choice, equality, and what changes when dads take parental leave.
When fathers take parental leave, families thrive. Partners share the load more equally. And women get space and choice to keep momentum in their careers.
But here’s the challenge:
Only 36% of dads in the U.S. take more than two weeks of leave
In the U.S., paid paternity leave is rare—only about 13% of private employers offer it—and most fathers who do take leave keep it under 10 days
2.4 weeks is the average length of parental leave for Canadian dads
In both countries, nearly 50% say they fear career backlash
In most workplaces, leave for fathers still feels like an exception, not an expectation
Fathers should be afforded and encouraged to take more time with their newborns than most people spend on a beach vacation.
When men take leave, it sends a clear message: caregiving isn’t gendered. It’s human. And it belongs in every workplace conversation about equity and culture.
Mothers are more likely to return to work and maintain their career trajectories.
Children benefit from the involvement of both parents during critical developmental stages.
Workplaces become more inclusive and supportive of all caregivers, regardless of gender.
To all the dads who want to show up at home but feel they can’t, at Mother Cover, we’re here to help change that.
Happy Father’s Day.
Let’s get ya some time with your babies.
