Perhaps it is time to change the default roles given to a father and mother

The roles of parents have changed over time. Today, there are single fathers as well as stay-at-home fathers and I personally believe that paternity and maternity roles are on equal grounds. I am also a grandmother, so I have seen roles change over generations. Fathers and mothers both have specific roles to play in the household iand paternity leave, therefore, should be equal.

I also do not think that paternity leaves should be a privilege for a few. It should be a right. I have studied child psychology and am aware that the child needs to bond with the father as much as the mother. The family is one unit and you have to equate the roles of the father and the mother for the child’s growth.

As for companies that do not offer paternity leave because it might affect their profits, I would disagree with the argument. If you have happy employees, you have a progressive business. Your employees would be more productive, they would know you care enough about them and would be more willing to give 110 per cent at their jobs. So,it is better for business.

I do agree that when a child is born, he or she requires very high level of caregiving skills, but that does not mean that mothers should be given priority during the time right after birth.

I have seen fathers that have strong maternal instincts, as well. Having worked with cases of child abuse in the US, I have also seen the different ways in which fathers and mothers interact with their children. I do agree that mothers have basic maternal instincts, but fathers have very strong parental instincts as well, which are exhibited when the child is in danger and needs to be protected.

Paternity leaves would also be a great time for fathers to bond with their child because nobody allows fathers to do that. Society always gives them the role of breadwinner and the mother is always given the role of the caregiver. Perhaps, it is time for some cross-training because today, you need both parents to do both jobs. So, it would be a good time for fathers to learn these important skills. From Ms Diane Nobles-Eldakak Operations manager of a nursery in Abu Dhabi