HOW can we expect fathers to take on an equal role in parenting when the State continues to treat them like an optional extra at birth? In 2018, 45% of fathers did not avail of parental entitlement, but the rate varied dramatically from sector to sector. It has issued guidelines to each of the country’s 19 maternity units, but hospitals still have the final say over the level of access fathers and birth partners are given. The HSE is due to survey maternity units next week to ask if they are complying with the visiting guidance issued last month. The likelihood of a woman returning to paid employment after being on maternity leave drops for each additional child.

Source: Irish Examiner July 06, 2021 06:56 UTC