On Saturday, thousands of dads walked through the streets of London and Edinburgh. They went on strike for better paternity leave policies in the United Kingdom and in doing so participated in the world’s first “dad strike.” Industrial Campaigners say that their outmoded system no longer serves the needs of today’s families. It provides just two weeks of paternity leave, at under half of the national living wage. George Gabriel, who planned the protest, was trying to make enough noise to get at least six weeks of paid paternity leave. This event is just one piece of our ongoing campaign “The Dad Shift.”
Unfortunately, that is not the reality we’re living in here in the UK right now. It’s 40th out of 43 developed countries for the worst paternity leave in Europe. In extreme counterpoint, a country like Sweden provides parents the equivalent of 480 days of paid leave from work, shareable between both parents, over 10 years. Fathers need to use at least 90 days or they lose those days altogether. Environmental campaigners are calling on the UK government to introduce similar legislation. They want to help fathers to be involved and increase parent engagement from day one.
Gabriel underlined the importance of fathers being present in their children’s lives. He quoted findings from a study that found warm, loving relationships between fathers and sons significantly reduce the likelihood of future domestic abusers. He stated, “There’s a lot of pressure on fathers to protect and provide, but the research shows the most important thing you can provide your kids with is your presence.”
In comparison, the average European country provides at least eight weeks of paid paternity leave. As fathers, we feel strongly that this would be the very least the UK should aspire to. In response, Gabriel took aim at the 14 weeks of pay. He noted that it is well under half of what a national living wage would be. He said the increase was crucial to encourage more fathers, especially those on lower wages, to take parental leave.
“At the very least we want to see six weeks of paternity leave at regular pay. That was recommended by the women and equalities committee on Tuesday. It should be a basic minimum – the average across Europe is eight weeks. The UK paternity leave is lowest in Europe, and 40th out of 43 developed countries.” – George Gabriel
Sophie Barnett, a new mother, joined the protest. She painted an all-too-real picture of the difficulties that come from having so little paternity leave. She wanted to express her frustration on how this disruption impacted her family. “You just really have to learn to parent as a team,” she said. After two weeks, that team is suddenly ripped away at an especially important time for the baby. They don’t sleep soundly through the night and must wake at least every three hours for feeding. James and others like him had to return to work operating on empty. It was unbelievably disruptive for the entire family.
Duncan Dragonetti attended with his daughter Thomasin, highlighting how countries such as Sweden have successfully implemented policies that promote gender equality and parental involvement. He noted, “In Sweden, you get 480 days between both parents over 10 years. The dads have to take 90 days or they lose them, so everyone takes it and the equality in the workforce is far more balanced.”
IT consultant, Richard Odufisan, who came to the event with his three-year-old son, Ewa. He punctuated his powerful call for demanding change on paternity leave. First and foremost, he made a case for why the current pay is too low and hurting families.
“The current rate is less than 50% of the national living wage. If you were taking on parenting as a job, legally you can’t pay someone that low. Increasing would create an incentive for fathers, particularly those on lower salaries, to take parental leave.” – Richard Odufisan
Gabriel’s conversation touched on the social stigma around fatherhood and engagement in parenting roles. He pointed out that according to polls, there’s been a huge change in perception among dads working today. These fathers of young children, eager to be more active participants in their children’s lives,
“We have had some people who accuse us of being a bunch of woke dads from east London. But the polling shows 90% of fathers these days want to be an active, more active part of their children’s lives.” – George Gabriel
The protest was marked by signs reflecting both humor and frustration regarding existing policies, including one that read: “The worst dad joke: two weeks paternity leave!”