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THE STUDENT WORD

Politics

when it comes to paternity, men need the same rights as women.

26/3/2015

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In the modern world, there is little difference between men and women. In the modern (western) world, men and women are basically the same. Heck, women are expected to be able to become front line infantry in the Army. If that isn't a sheer sign of growing equality, I don't know what is.

However, there are still signs of inequality in the western world. For example, the pay gap between men and women is still substantial, although getting smaller, year on year. So, there is still work to be done but on the whole, things are getting better. 

However, there are still examples of inequality in the work place. Another example: men, currently, may only take off 2 weeks, whilst women may take as much as 52 weeks, before or after giving birth. This is quite simply un-acceptable. Why should men not get the same, time off as women?

Official Government advice and rights before and after childbirth: 
Picture
Paternity leave, for men.
PictureMaternity leave, for women.














I would argue that, surely, men should be able to spend time with their children, the same as women do. The law that provides protection actually just re-invigorates the stereotypes, which society gives women, as the primary caregiver, who stays at home and looks after the children. This social idea is outdated and the law needs to show it.

I have received a fairly large disagreement with this view, but I refuse to accept that women should have differing rights to men, when it comes to their children. If not for the reasons of freedom of speech but also, simply, because men are just as important to the growth of a child as women are. 

Many would also say that women need time to rest, after this painful experience they have gone through, which I would also agree with. But, the law provides little protection for women, who "need" 26 weeks off, as women can go back to work after just 2 weeks and so the law in it's current state provides little for women and their bodies, as women can go back to work after just 2 weeks, which I would personally support as a result of my and many others belief in the right to choose, rather than being forced into something. Remember, Everyone is different and so has different needs, some women may need the full 52, whilst some only need 3 days but are currently restricted by the minimum of 2 weeks.

My primary argument, however, is that people should be able to choose, who will look after their children, whether that be the father or the mother or neither, maybe they want a nanny and go straight back to work but that's their choice and that should be respected. At the moment, they do not have that choice, as they are restricted by the law. That law needs to be changed.


Information about your rights as a mother or a father can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/overview
and 
https://www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave/overview

Comment is free.


TGD

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