More fathers in California are taking advantage of the state’s paid family leave program, although they still lag behind mothers in usage. According to a report by Paid Leave for All, claims from men to bond with their child have surged by 384% since the program’s inception two decades ago. In contrast, claims from women have increased by 33%.
Molly Weston Williamson, who authored the report, noted that men now account for 44% of paid family leave claims, up from 18% in 2005. She highlighted the positive impact of paternity leave, stating, “What we know is that when dads are able to take paid leave, everybody benefits.” Research supports that paternity leave can improve a mother’s physical and mental health postpartum and even reduce infant mortality rates.
Despite these gains, many parents remain unaware of the benefits available to them. California offers up to eight weeks of paid family leave for non-birthing parents, with benefits covering 70% to 90% of their wages as of this year. Income disparities also affect leave usage, as individuals earning $80,000 to $100,000 annually take leave nearly four times more than those earning less than $20,000, according to Paid Leave for All.
Sela Steiger, a staff attorney at Legal Aid at Work, pointed out that financial and cultural pressures often deter fathers from taking leave. However, recent increases in payment rates aim to bridge these gaps, with workers earning under $63,000 now receiving 90% of their income while on leave.
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