Economic implications of role of the father

Question 1

Employment laws and policy

Answer 1

• Showing the relative importance of fathers and their ability to play an equal role of caregiver sensitivity and therefore welfare of children could impact paternity laws.
• This research has already influenced a shift towards shared parental leave and increased paternity leave for new fathers.

Question 2

Shared parental leave

Answer 2

• In addition parental leave is partially funded by both the employer and the government which has implications for funding if both partners seek to take leave.
  -The shared parental leave however is a double edged sword, whilst it may reduce males in the workforce as they seek to take more leave when they have children, this would allow mothers to take less leave and therefore return to work, allowing them to resume contribution to the employer.

Question 3

Social sensitivity

Answer 3

• Another economic implication is that the research into the role of the father may be socially sensitive to mothers.
• For example, it places so much pressure on the mother to care for the child whereas the father is seen more as a playmate.
• This may mean that mothers are hesitant to return to work due to the impact it may be perceived to have on their child.
• In turn, it means the sizes of the workforce is reduced and less money may be produced by them not resuming their position.