Daddy's Home
Grazia|October 2016

As paid paternity leave becomes a hot-button issue, we invite a pair to join the debate

Bobin James and Latha Sunadh
Daddy's Home

Politicians have a thing for saying funny things. Some fancy themselves as comedians but in most cases, it happens without them even realising that what they’re saying might be ludicrous. Case in point: Maneka Gandhi. The Women and Child Development Minister opened up the proverbial can of worms with her stance on paternity leave. In a recent interview with a newspaper, she was quoted as saying, “I will be happy to give it [paternity leave], but for a man, it will be just a holiday; he won’t do anything.”

Gandhi’s recent move to prod the Union Labour Ministry to amend the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and increase maternity leave in the private sector from 12 to 26 weeks was taken with a big hurrah at the Grazia HQ. But when this cynical statement reached us, we thought we’d check in on the ones directly affected by this: A married couple with a baby.

BOBIN JAMES:

So, it seems the Honorable Minister of Women and Child Development recently said that Indian men, if given paternity leave, would just while it away on a beach in Goa, scarfing down some grilled fish and downing beers, or something to that effect [I mean, that’s what you do on vacation, right?].

Does it reinforce gender stereotypes? You bet it does. On one hand, here you are, wanting to introduce a progressive bill to benefit women. And on the other, you conveniently say: Guys will be guys.

That’s you telling the menfolk, “You know what, you are not going to be of much help anyway. In fact, you might be a bother. Why don’t you just stay out of the way?”

And that’s you telling the fathers, “I don’t care how hard it gets for you to balance work and new parenthood. Deal with it.” In one fell swoop, you are alienating a massive and integral part of the population that wants to participate.

This story is from the October 2016 edition of Grazia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2016 edition of Grazia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GRAZIAView All
Cultural Renaissance
Grazia India

Cultural Renaissance

With a vision to bridge Jaipur's artistic legacy and the global contemporary art world, HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh and Noelle Kadar launch the Jaipur Centre for Art

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
LOVE, LOSS, AND LESSONS LEARNED
Grazia India

LOVE, LOSS, AND LESSONS LEARNED

In conversation with Durjoy Datta, as he reflects on the emotional toll of writing intense stories, his journey as an author, and how his latest book revisits themes of love, second chances, and loss

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
All Eyes On THIS
Grazia India

All Eyes On THIS

Meet the newest standout brands on Grazia's beauty desk

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Is Restocking Our Fridges A New Form Of Self-Care?
Grazia India

Is Restocking Our Fridges A New Form Of Self-Care?

All the reasons why #restocking may not be as calming as it seems

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
SAVOUR THE TASTE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
Grazia India

SAVOUR THE TASTE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

In the heart of our capital lies an extraordinary dining experience, unlike any other

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
ESCAPE THE ORDINARY
Grazia India

ESCAPE THE ORDINARY

Luxury stays are now an essential part of our lives.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
CHEFS ON THE LOOSE
Grazia India

CHEFS ON THE LOOSE

Here's How Pop-Ups, Takeovers, and Workshops Are Heating Up the Indian Culinary Scene

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
NOT SO HIDDEN
Grazia India

NOT SO HIDDEN

What's making everyone wear acne patches, from transparent ones to colourful with bold designs, in public spaces?

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
RAISING THE BAR
Grazia India

RAISING THE BAR

With medi-facials on the rise, we're setting new benchmarks of our expectations from these treatments, and they're delivering

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
WHAT WORLD ARE WE LEAVING BEHIND FOR HER?
Grazia India

WHAT WORLD ARE WE LEAVING BEHIND FOR HER?

Despite stronger laws, crimes against women continue to rise in India. The International Day of the Girl Child is not one for celebration, but instead, one for igniting concern, awakening, and reformation

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024