It’s clear society’s attitudes about who should care for children are changing.
As of July, parents have access to up to 20 weeks of federal government-funded parental leave, of which two weeks are reserved for each parent. By July 2026, this will rise to 26 weeks, with four for each parent.
9 in 10 men said they had equal responsibility in caring for children.
However, they are not changing fast enough.
170,000 women accessed paid parental leave in 2022-23, compared to just 1020 men. Only 14 per cent of paid parental leave is taken by men.
Based on these figures, men’s take-up of paid parental leave is concerningly low.
This has profound impacts on working women. Career interruptions account for 20 per cent of the gender pay gap. Women who take time out to care for children often miss out on promotions or pursue part-time positions. It is also one reason women, on average, retire with significantly less superannuation than men.
On the flip side, there are overwhelmingly positive effects when men decide to take parental leave. Studies have shown that when fathers take leave, it benefits their well-being and that of their families.
So, what is behind men’s low take-up of parental leave, and how do we address this issue?
Thanks to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review and Women’s Agenda, we explore what is behind this trend and how it can be addressed.
What are the reasons behind this?
There are financial reasons why more women are taking parental leave. Men are often in higher-paid positions. Therefore, from an economic point of view, it often makes sense for women to take parental leave.
Societal expectations play a significant role in men not taking up parental leave.
Long-running stereotypes of men as breadwinners and women as caregivers are proving difficult to shift.
Men often feel that their identity is tied to their role as breadwinners. Therefore, they fear their status and societal position will be lost if they take leave.
56% of working parents believed it was more acceptable for women to take leave.
85% of men said they felt a responsibility to continue working.
Men believe their dedication and commitment to their jobs will be questioned if they take leave.
50% of men surveyed said those who took leave weren’t committed to their job
What can be done to address this issue?
Already, progress has been made.
A rising number of companies offer all parents the full 26 weeks of parental leave.
Many employers have removed categories such as “primary” and “secondary” leave, which normalise men taking less leave. In 2022-2023, there was a 9 per cent increase in companies offering gender neutral leave. This indicates companies are seeing the benefits of removing carer labels. Companies that have removed “primary” and “secondary” labels have seen a 47% increase in men taking parental leave.
However, more needs to be done. Research indicates that attitudes are beginning to change, but advocates say they must change faster.
Men need to be better supported to take parental leave. Leadership plays a critical role in this.
Leaders should set an example for the rest of their workforce. Their behaviour and attitudes set the tone for everyone else. Therefore, senior leaders should take time off to care for their children when required.
Employers should offer both genders equal amounts of leave and show equal willingness to fill resulting staffing holes regardless of gender.
Are you looking for a new career? Public Service Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services, including our resume and cover letter writing service.