Generous paternal leave policies improve maternal and newborn health, family finances and workplace equality

Leave for the non-birthing parent after a new baby arrives gives the family an opportunity to bond.

By: Megan Kuykendoll, Miami University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 28, 2026

Words: 1,357

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

By Megan Kuykendoll, Miami University

When our second child was born, my spouse had several weeks of paternity leave under his parental leave policy at work.

I’m a certified family life educator, and parental leave comes up regularly in my teaching and community work. So I was aware of the benefits his leave could have for our family – in theory.

Still, I could not have imagined how significantly his leave would end …

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