Swedish Dads enjoy more parental leave — and these pics show the benefits

SWEDISH dads get the most parental leave in the world. And a new photographic exhibition shows just how much that policy is benefiting both the dads and their kids.

ONLY five per cent of Aussie dads accessed primary carer’s leave last year, which might be why women are swooning over this photographic exhibition.

‘Swedish Dads’ opens in Barangaroo tomorrow. The image series, captured by Swedish photographer Johan Bävman, depicts men who have taken advantage of Sweden’s generous paternity leave legislation to spend more time with their babies than the average father.

Emma Walsh, CEO of Parents At Work, said only one in 50 Australian men take parental leave, and only one in three eligible for Dad and Partner Pay take it up.

Which is why the organisation has brought out the exhibition, to highlight the need for change.

“The purpose of hosting the Swedish Dads Photographic Exhibition is to champion gender equality in parental leave participation by shining a light on the important roles fathers play in caring for their families — and recognising and celebrating dads taking parental leave and playing a primary caring role in their child’s life, and the positive impact it has on women, men, children, society and the broader economy,” Ms Walsh told news.com.au

Murat, 34, is an Arts Programmer. He took with Oskar for eight months, and previously with his daughter Lovea. ‘When I took a course in gender psychology, I realised the importance of equal opportunities for our society.’ Picture: Johan Bävman

“Dads feel the pressure to be the provider for their families first and foremost, and for many, providing is defined as bringing in a salary for their household, and mothers are encouraged to exclusively breastfeed for six months and by default slip into the role of exclusive primary carer role — it’s easy to see how stereotypes then take hold.

“But for men to take parental leave and have that experience is priceless.

“Sweden’s inclusive approach to parental leave is globally recognised as the most generous and progressive in the world — but in Australia, the primary parental leave participation rate of fathers is one of the lowest in the developed world.”

Fredric Janson is a 34-year-old engineer in Sweden who has taken advantage of the policy. When his son Ossian was born, Fredric and his partner took four months’ joint parental leave, then they alternated 50/50. ‘Because we took turns being on leave and working, right from when we first became parents, parental leave has never felt boring or monotonous.’ Picture: Johan Bävman

WHEN WORK CAN’T WAIT

While a majority of dads take leave after the birth of a child, generally it is relatively short. According to the ABS who reports that of Aussie dads who took leave, 70 per cent were back at work within two weeks.

Karitane CEO Grainne O’Loughlin said the introduction of Dad and Partner Pay in 2013 was a significant addition to Australia’s existing government-funded Paid Parental Leave scheme, but more must be done to encourage fathers to become full-time carers for extended periods.

“The international experience — particularly the Swedish experience — indicates that if governments provide well-compensated, flexible, parent-specific and publicly promoted parental leave, fathers’ uptake of leave will increase,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

“Financial support to take leave at the time of a child’s birth can give fathers a greater role that extends beyond the financial, encouraging them to engage immediately in the caring tasks.

She added the Australian Human Rights Commission has published a report that shows 27 per cent of the fathers and partners surveyed reported experiencing discrimination at work despite taking very short periods of leave.

She added it’s important workplaces change culture and remove stereotypes about dads taking parental leave.

CREATING CHANGE, ONE CHILD AT A TIME

Ms O’Loughlin said fathers being able to stay home not only benefited them, but the whole family.

“There is extensive research to support the enormous benefits for children’s development when fathers are actively involved in their parenting,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

“The Swedish Dads exhibition is a wonderful way of raising the profile of fathers and the vital role they play in a child’s life.”

“It shows us that parenting is changing — in many cases both parents are working and enjoying their careers but also juggling the demands of parenting and both want to be involved.

“We need to be creative as a society and explore ways of making this happen for families.

“The proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ has never been more important — and the workplace is becoming part of that village.”

NORMALISING DADDY DAYCARE

Frank Merino with his daughter Eliana in Hobart.

Hobart dad Frank Marino took 13 weeks leave with his one-year-old daughter Eliana — seven weeks when she was born and another five when his wife returned to work.

“My employer offers eight weeks parental leave which can be taken by the primary carer before the child’s first birthday. Given the opportunity, I thought it would be invaluable to spend some one on one time with my baby girl,” he said.

“My employer was great — they were extremely accommodating and I wasn’t disadvantaged while I was away — in fact, I came back to a promotion.

“These early years will pass quickly and I’ll never have this time with Eliana again.

“Having spent that time with put fatherhood into perspective.

“It encouraged me to slow down, and connect with her, and really get to know her.

“It’s important for employers to support fathers to take parental leave and to give them flexible work options — not just the mums.”

Sam Gow, manager at Australian Treasury, has just returned to work after taking six weeks paid parental leave with his second child, now four months old.

“I have also worked four days a weeks since my first child was born,” the 40-year-old said.

“If anything, I think my career has benefited from working part time.

“People like working with a dad who is sharing the parenting, and I have learnt to be more productive — and managing a four-year-old can be as difficult as dealing with any colleague.

“Working four days a week allows me to be a parent.”

“I get to spend more time with our children, do the kinder drop off and socialise with the other parents, take our eldest to swimming or dance classes, have adventures, socialise with his cousins, go for bike rides and cook dinner.

“It is hard, but rewarding, work.”

The Swedish Dads Exhibition will be shown at Barangaroo from September 5 to 11.

Originally published as Swedish Dads enjoy more parental leave — and these pics show the benefits