Dad petitions for paternity leave to bond

PATERNITY leave for fathers is non-existent, while family responsibility leave is a dismal three days a year.

This bias against fathers has led a Cape Town man to fight for provisions to be made in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

He is fighting for all fathers and petitioning for 10 days’ paternity leave.

Gary De Silva, of the civil rights group Fathers For Justice, said dads played a vital role in children’s lives and it was equally important for them to bond with their newborns.

“However, fathers are only given three days to bond with their newborns and this is extremely prejudicial.

“Mothers also need time to rest after the gruelling birth process and if fathers are given adequate paternity leave, they could help to take care of the baby.”

De Silva believes however that 10 days is still too little.

“We should appeal for a month to six weeks’ leave as 10 days is not enough.”

Jeffrey Elisha, father of three-months-old David, said he had to take annual leave from work in order to spend adequate time with his son.

“My wife had a caesarean section, so naturally she needed time to heal and someone to help her with David. Three days of family responsibility leave was too little.”

Elisha supports the petition to allow for 10 days’ paternity leave.

“This is a good cause to fight. It is every dad’s right to get adequate paternity leave. We should not be discriminated against.”

Mother of

two,

Yvette Naidoo, who gave birth two months ago to baby Keyan, said her husband Nevashan had two days’ leave before returning to work.

“Paternity leave is needed now more than ever because no longer are couples staying with their parents. Most of the time, the mother is left alone to take care of the newborn, while the husband works and this is extremely difficult.”

Psychologist Rakhi Beekrum said it was vital that fathers were given the opportunity to develop a close bond with their newborns – as this had implications for a closer relationship as the baby grows.

She said research showed positive outcomes when fathers were involved in continuous bonding with a newborn.

“Having a baby is a huge adjustment and having the father experience this from the arrival of the baby can have a positive impact on the mother’s coping skills, knowing she isn’t the only one experiencing a major change.”