AT first glance, it appeared to be the best gift for British dads.
Imagine fathers getting up to six months’ paternity leave – with up to 39 weeks paid at £123.06 (S$280) weekly – once their wives or partners return to work.
On the surface, the news sounded too good to be true. But it also bore all the hallmarks of an old-fashioned pre-election handout.
Already, critics are seeing it as a blatant electioneering ploy at a time when the country is struggling to come out of a recession. It could be wishful thinking at best, or a deliberate attempt to woo voters.
Either way, the move can be perceived as encouraging single men to father numerous kids, then stay at home for half-a-year and get paid.
And once working men acquire a taste for living on dole, they may refuse to return to work on the assumption that “fathering kids regularly can provide income for life.”
How will the British government expect to fund the increasing number of benefit claims as well as help small- and medium-sized firms tide over the difficult period?
Despite being able to claim the paternity/maternity benefits from the state, these companies would need to recruit and retrain temporary staff and cope with business disruptions.
All of which also raises concerns over whether the move will make anyone of reproductive age – men and women alike – unemployable.
Of course, nobody can deny the benefits of having stay-at-home dads. The fathers can benefit from stronger family bonds and greater insight into what parenting is all about.
Many fathers also relish the opportunity to be more involved in caring for their newborns.
Obviously, the paternity leave move will lighten the burden of young mothers. They will be able to return to work earlier without having to send their kids to expensive childcare.
How many young, hardworking fathers can really afford to take the full paternity leave?
With mounting credit card and utility bills as well as mortgage commitments, there is little incentive for most new dads to take the full six months.
Some would rather take unpaid leave than risk being made redundant, especially in a recession-hit environment.
