Paternity leave: Overcoming barriers to uptake

Paternity leave: Overcoming barriers to uptake Deborah Da Costa, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University and Scientist at McGill University Health Centre, discusses the benefits and barriers to fathers’ uptake of paternity leave following the birth of a child. In response to the importance of involving fathers in the caregiving of their children and to encourage more equitable distribution of household tasks, an increasing number of countries have implemented paternity leave policies following the birth of a child. (1) While more generous paid paternity leave policies positively influence uptake and duration of paternity leave, personal and contextual factors also play a role in the decision to take leave following the birth of a child.