Recognizing Spousal and Childcare Roles of Married Men Employees: A Perception on Paternity Leave

Men play a crucial role in their families. Their responsibilities, particularly in providing spousal and childcare support, are vital during the paternity leave period. This study examines the roles, perceptions, and challenges of working fathers at Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in relation to paternity leave. Using purposive sampling, eighty-two (82) married father-employees participated in the survey. Results showed that most respondents were aged 31–40, had two children (primarily aged 1–10), were non-teaching staff with permanent employment status, and earned a monthly income of ₱10,000–30,000. Most of the respondents perceived paternity leave as “Not Enough” in terms of both its length (WM = 2.09) and its availability exclusively to married males (WM = 2.44). They strongly agreed on the significance of fulfilling spousal roles during the prenatal (GWM = 3.81), parturition (GWM = 3.84), and postnatal (GWM = 3.81) periods, as well as on childcare responsibilities (GWM = 3.78). The main challenges identified were financial roles (WM = 2.80) and sleep deprivation (WM = 2.84). These findings suggest that policymakers should revisit the current provisions of paternity leave to better support fathers in balancing their spousal and childcare roles.