Fathers entitled to breastfeeding leave

britexpat
By britexpat

Is the world going crazy or I am not up with the times ?

Europe's top court has declared that working fathers in Spain are entitled to take 'breastfeeding leave' everyday, even if the mother of the child is not employed.

The Court ruled that the law caused an 'unjustified discrimination on grounds of sex' because fathers do not have the same rights as mothers

The new legislation means that both the mother and father are allowed to leave work for an hour during the day or reduce their working day by half an hour during the first nine months following the birth of a child.

The European Union Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled on Thursday that the Spanish law caused an "unjustified discrimination on grounds of sex" because fathers do not have the same rights as mothers.

Breastfeeding leave should now be considered as "time purely devoted to the child" in order to reconcile family life and work after maternity leave.

Source: Telegraph

By anonymous• 2 Oct 2010 12:52
anonymous

i thought, breast feeding was required once every four hours in most cases..

if the fathers are expected to help out their wives in the household during breastfeeding, does it mean they need to be home every four hours which may be atlesast 2 times away from the office for half hour each??

this seems ridiculous considering the commuting time to their homes..

am i being stupid here asking such questions??

By Khawaga• 2 Oct 2010 12:24
Khawaga

I agree with FathimaH. Breastfeeding is supposed to be a quite time of bonding between mother and child. This can be difficult to obtain if there are other young children at home who also need attention. So, Dad can come home for a bit and keep these quiet while Mom is breastfeeding. What is so wrong with that?

Seems to me that there was a big uproar from naysayers were the idea of paternity leave was introduced back before it became more common. I think this is just one more idea whose time has come. As for the idea that the economy will suffer because the company will get one less hour of work, I think that men will be more productive during their remaining time at work if they know that they will be taking a break in the middle, just as you still get all your work done even if you are leaving early one day for some appointment. Just a thought.

By nomerci• 1 Oct 2010 12:46
Rating: 3/5
nomerci

Tinker yes, that's why I said "many".

Where I come from most man help happily. Mind you , not all. I think this may have to do with upbringing and culture.

I have friends who's husbands actually stayed home and took care of the child, and the wife /mother went back to work.

By nomerci• 1 Oct 2010 12:08
nomerci

The reason for it is irrational, BUT giving fathers more time to spend with their child is excellent. Many fathers, including the one of my child, were VERY helpful during this time. Not all men neglect their duties, some, in fact, do them gladly.

By soniya• 1 Oct 2010 12:07
Rating: 4/5
soniya

"Breastfeeding leave" sounds weird actually...It would have been better if the SPANISH GOVT.would have used other word to allow MEN to take an hour break in between their office work or to take an hour leave early..

Like how it's allowed for women to do same..But it's known as MATERNITY LEAVE and not BREASTFEEDING LEAVE..LOL

By FathimaH• 1 Oct 2010 10:08
FathimaH

and not all men are lazy, Alhamdullilah! I know many men who have done everything for their new born child short of breastfeeding only. That too without any leave.

By britexpat• 1 Oct 2010 10:05
britexpat

Apart from giving men an hour off work. this also affects the economy. Companies will lose an hours work production a day..

By anonymous• 1 Oct 2010 09:58
anonymous

fluffy men can't help around the house when a mother is nursing a child?

By fluffy123• 1 Oct 2010 09:51
fluffy123

lazy men. men are not the ones who put their bodies through pregnancy and they are not the ones who nurse the child either.

there is nothing sexist about it. it's nature.

until men can get pregnant they should keep their mouths closed.

By FathimaH• 1 Oct 2010 09:39
FathimaH

Not if he has a wife like me,I can assure you =D

By anonymous• 1 Oct 2010 09:30
anonymous

men should also be given the right to 'sulk' in the office atleast for a couple of days every month...:)

By drmana• 1 Oct 2010 08:58
Rating: 4/5
drmana

Paternity leave was very much justified but breastfeeding leave is just too much. Total Misuse of law against gender discrimination.

By britexpat• 1 Oct 2010 08:49
britexpat

You are assuming that a guy will spend the hour helping do chores around the house ..

Highly unlikely methinks ... He'll just switch on the TV and relax telling you what a hard day he's had..

By FathimaH• 1 Oct 2010 08:44
FathimaH

They should bring this law to Qatar. I know quite a few families who'll go down on prostration and thank the Lord! Seriously its a boon specially for women who have more kids and no help besides their husbands. that too in the first few months. One may ask how much can a guy do in an hour? Plenty and if nothing else give his wife ample time for a shower!

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