I stumbled upon this article this morning and I'm wondering what you all think about it. I've never thought about men receiving paternity leave from work. I think it's a good idea. You?

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination has announced it will apply the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act to both women and men, meaning that fathers are now eligible for eight weeks of leave just like mothers are.
This created a firestorm of sorts in the state. Many applauded the decision, while others (especially employers) were less than enthused.
"They're now saying that employers are going to be liable for violating a maternity-leave law by not giving paternity leave, and an employer would have no way of knowing this unless they went to our seminar," lawyer James W. Bucking told Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
Massachusetts resident Dr. Gwenn O'Keefe says, "I personally think it is terrific all around -- as a mom, pediatrician and business woman Families need that reconnection time, and men need time to adjust to being dads, too, just like moms do. Plus, many families cannot afford the extra help Mom needs those first few weeks, especially with today's economy, so it's great men can be there to pitch in. I would have loved my husband to have been able to take more time off -- but we needed his paycheck."
Many moms we talked to agreed with Dr. Gwenn, saying it would have been amazing to have their husbands at home those first eight weeks. But a few naysayers said since the dad didn't push the baby out, he shouldn't be entitled to "time off." (We don't know about you, but spending 24/7 with a crying, pooping newborn is not our idea of time off.)

What do you think...do men deserve paternity leave?

my husband got 10 days of paternity leave. it was a godsend because that was the only help i had.

Yes...

And I wish I could add the stipulation: if they're actually helping. But how the hell would anyone be able to check that. heh.

The military just made it like "mandatory" for 10 free days of leave, my husband didn't get that.

i survived.

My husband gets it but its unpaid. and that includes adoption or fostering as well as biological.

I dont see why not. Our workplace offers time off for dads

Quoting MommyWise{Team *PINK*}:“ My husband gets it but its unpaid. and that includes adoption or fostering as well as biological.”

Aw, that stinks.

Quoting MommyWise{Team *PINK*}:“ My husband gets it but its unpaid. and that includes adoption or fostering as well as biological.”

That should be illegal.

My maternity leave was unpaid.

I think it's a good idea. Other countries do it, so that's one more thing America seems to be a bit behind the curve in. I think anything that encourages men to be better fathers is important these days, considering how many posts I see on here from women whose SO's refuse to do any parenting.

Quoting Mimi*Illogical*BGFM:“ I think it's a good idea. Other countries do it, so that's one more thing America seems to be a bit behind ... [snip!] ... fathers is important these days, considering how many posts I see on here from women whose SO's refuse to do any parenting.”

Yes, yes, yes. I completely agree with you.

Did you know in.... I think Germany...

Maternity leave is 3 years? And it can be split between the two parents, or one parent can take 3 years?

the military does it now since October 2008...it was nice having my hubby home for 10 days to help out  

I work for the state of FL and men get paterntity leave here. One of our supervisors just came back from 6 months paternity leave.

My husband got 3 weeks paid and it was wonderful!! I was so happy to have the help.