Quoting Julia - First Time Go:“ But isn't that the reason for them getting leave in the first place? Bonding and nursing? Otherwise it would have been men too from the get-go, IMHO. But men don't nurse.”

No, it's so someone can be there to watch the child.

It's always been assumed men won't want to, and most men wouldn't ask to even if they did want to, as until recently, they'd probably have been ridiculed.

C.

Quoting God:“ No, it's so someone can be there to watch the child. It's always been assumed men won't want to, and ... [snip!] ... want to, and most men wouldn't ask to even if they did want to, as until recently, they'd probably have been ridiculed. C.”

Yeah. It's not the "manly" thing to do.

Yea... my hubby gets 2 weeks paternity leave with the Navy i think... and then he's gonna take some additional leave time off so hopefully he will have a month off with us... i'm sure I'll need it  

Quoting Emma♥Ethan:“ I stumbled upon this article this morning and I'm wondering what you all think about it. I've never thought ... [snip!] ... 24/7 with a crying, pooping newborn is not our idea of time off.) What do you think...do men deserve paternity leave?”

The US is one of the only first world nations that DOESNT have mandated paternity leave of some kind. My husband could only take one week to be with me or risk losing his job, and it was REALLY rough on my body to be a full time SAHM so soon.

Is it paid? I think they should be able to take time off without a hold being placed on their seniority or accrual of retirement and whatnot, but I don't think it should be paid leave.
That should be up to the individuals to save their money if they need to for that time in their lives.
I would love it if they could have it under the above conditions though. My husband only got to take 3 days off when Milo was born because he uses all his vacation days to run harvest every year on our orchard. Sucks, especially since I had a c-section. Lucky for me, my mom and grandma were here to help, but it would be really crappy if they weren't.

FMLA applies to men too... so federally if they qualify they already do get it.

Quoting Prego: it's in there:“ FMLA applies to men too... so federally if they qualify they already do get it.”

Right, but here at least, you have to exhaust all your vacation/sick leave before you can draw FMLA. that won't work for us. I wish there wasn't that condition.

Quoting Emma♥Ethan:“ I stumbled upon this article this morning and I'm wondering what you all think about it. I've never thought ... [snip!] ... 24/7 with a crying, pooping newborn is not our idea of time off.) What do you think...do men deserve paternity leave?”

Yes they should.
In Germany men can get up to 6 months. The mother, one year. It is about family. It should always be about the family. Why make one if the family is 2nd priority. The happier you are in you r family life, the better results you will have at work.
A child does not only need it's mother but it also needs it's father.

Quoting Milo'smom:“ Is it paid? I think they should be able to take time off without a hold being placed on their seniority ... [snip!] ... since I had a c-section. Lucky for me, my mom and grandma were here to help, but it would be really crappy if they weren't.”

In Germany it is paid. Not full but most. And you can keep your job. They HAVE to hold the position open for you.

Quoting Milo'smom:“ Right, but here at least, you have to exhaust all your vacation/sick leave before you can draw FMLA. that won't work for us. I wish there wasn't that condition.”

That's a stipulation for women too depending. It does suck.

Leagally, they are entitled to it. Whether it is paid or not is up to the employer.

We prepared for it. My husband gets sick pay and vacation (just the typical normal stuff) and when my little guy was born, thats what we used for it. I loved having him there but saving up sick and vacation time was how we were able to do it. I don't see why companies should be required to give paternity time paid. Maternity time I understand but I don't think there is an entitlement to paternity time off. FLMA also gives employees the option to take some time off as well, unpaid but there are options.

Quoting Captain Tiny Tits....:“ In Germany it is paid. Not full but most. And you can keep your job. They HAVE to hold the position open for you.”

Eeek. That would be tough to provide as an employer.

My hubby took four days off from work (without pay) and had we had our induction date set for his days off so in total he had 10 days off after our daughter was born. It was so nice because we had time to bond as a family. She would wake up 2-3 times a night and we would all just lay in bed while she ate and talk, cuddle, etc.

I think men should get paid time off instead of hte ususal unpaid FMLA. In high school I babysat for a couple who's Dad got 1 full week off paid for maternity leave that didn't dig into his vaction sick time. I work at ASU now and if both parents are employeed by ASU we get 6 weeks paid maternity leave off but you can split that between mom and dad.

Quoting Milo'smom:“ Eeek. That would be tough to provide as an employer.”

They hire temps.