Paternity leaves have recently become a hot topic of discussion. Debates have risen around the U.S, some believe that men shouldn’t be paid during paternity leaves, or even not have them at all. 

     According to a Pew Research center article https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/03/27, “About one-in-seven Americans don’t think men should be able to take any paternity leave.”

     Despite this statistic, there is also a tremendous case to be made that paternity leaves have many benefits to families, and a paid paternity leave relieves the anxiety during an already stressful time. 

     Teacher, and father of two, Mr. David Spinetti states that paternity leaves are beneficial because, “There’s a lot of getting used to and adapting to a schedule and routine.” 

     Spinetti had said that he would have taken even longer than two weeks off if he had found a way to work it out with the school schedule. 

     Spinetti later included, “I was able to be paid during my leave, which makes it a lot easier and relaxing while managing my family stuff.” 

     Spanish teacher Mrs. Jaime Annunziata, who is also a parent, says “I one thousand percent agree that men should be able to take paternity leave”.

     Luckily for new fathers, laws regarding paternity leaves are rather flexible in Connecticut. 

     According to Milford Human Resources Generalist, John Boanno, “In the state of Connecticut, fathers are able to use FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) to care for a newborn or newly adopted child.” 

     Fathers would be allowed to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for the child. 

     Boanno later says, “their leave would be unpaid, unless the employee uses their paid sick, vacation, and personal business time so that they continue to receive a paycheck while out on leave.” These are also the same guidelines as maternity leaves.

     Using the 12 weeks of leave fathers are able to build a relationship with their child, without the worries of a paycheck hanging over their head.

     With teachers and other professionals across the world supporting paternity leaves, and only 15% of people opposing them, they should be around for a long time without being eliminated.