Paternity Leave Action Group

To:  Irish Government

PETITION
From the Paternity Leave Action Group (P.L.A.G.)

We the undersigned wish to petition the Irish Government to change the current legislation, or lack there of, in regards to the current minimum paid paternity leave issued to Irish fathers by the Irish government. Currently paternity rights are not recognised by the Irish government much to the shame and disgust of the undersigned.

Statutory Paternity Leave in Europe:

Ireland is right down the bottom of the European league table:

* Iceland - 3 months paid paternity leave
* Slovenia - 90 days paid paternity leave
* Norway *(Outside EU) - 6 weeks paternity leave
("use it or lose it")
* Finland - 18 days paid paternity
(proposing to raise it to 25 days)
* Denmark - 14 days paid paternity
* Estonia - 14 calendar days
* France - 2 weeks paid paternity
* Italy - 2 weeks paid paternity
* UK - 2 weeks paid paternity (from 2003)
* Sweden - 10 days paid paternity leave
* Latvia - 10 calendar days
* Austria - 10 days paid paternity
* Romania - 5 days paid paternity leave
* Hungary - 5 days paternity leave
* Portugal - 5 days paternity
* Belgium - 3 days paid paternity
* Spain - 2 days paternity
* Holland - 2 days paid paternity
* Luxembourg - 2 days paid paternity
* Ireland - NO entitlements to paternity leave

Not only is a fathers presence important to the father and new born baby but also when it comes to the mother. There have been studies which show that support for a mothers partner/husband could significantly reduce post natal depression and anxiety and return to the work force.

There have also been countless studies done which would suggest that a paternal presence during the first few days/weeks is just as invaluable and biologically important as a maternal presence. Below is just one of the many examples.

reference http://www.babyreference.com/BondingMatters.htm
"Oxytocin is a chemical messenger released in the brain chiefly in response to social contact, but its release is especially pronounced with skin-to-skin contact. In addition to providing health benefits, this hormone-like substance promotes bonding patterns and creates desire for further contact with the individuals inciting its release.

Fathers are not left out of the oxytocin equation. It has been shown that a live-in father's oxytocin levels rise toward the end of his mate's pregnancy. When the father spends significant amounts of time in contact with his infant, oxytocin encourages him to become more involved in the ongoing care in a self-perpetuating cycle. Oxytocin in the father also in-creases his interest in physical (not necessarily sexual) contact with the mother. Nature now provides a way for father to become more interested in being a devoted and satisfied part of the family picture through his involvement with the baby.
With all of its powers, oxytocin is but one of a list of many chemicals that nature uses to ensure that baby finds the love and care he needs.
Vasopressin & Protection
Although present and active during bonding in the mother and infant, vasopressin plays a much bigger role in the father. This hormone promotes brain reorganization toward paternal behaviors when the male is cohabitating with the pregnant mother. The father becomes more dedicated to his mate and expresses behaviors of protection.
Released in response to nearness and touch, vasopressin promotes bonding between the father and the mother, helps the father recognize and bond to his baby, and makes him want to be part of the family, rather than alone. It has gained a reputation as the "monogamy hormone." Dr. Theresa Crenshaw, author of The Alchemy of Love and Lust, says, "Testosterone wants to prowl, vasopressin wants to stay home." She also describes vasopressin as tempering the man's sexual drive.
Vasopressin reinforces the father's testosterone-promoted protective inclination regarding his mate and child, but tempers his aggression, making him more reasonable and less extreme. By promoting more rational and less capricious thinking, this hormone induces a sensible paternal role, providing stability as well as vigilance."

Economics of it. Could Ireland economically afford paternity leave? Of course it could. Taken just a one example of how better off Ireland is when compared to some of the other countries which offer not only paternity leave but more then two weeks paid paternity leave eg Finland.

http://www.aneki.com/europe_richest.html
Rank Country GDP - per capita Dated September 2008
1 Luxembourg $ 68,800
2 Norway $ 47,800
3 Ireland $ 43,600
4 Andorra $ 38,800
5 Iceland $ 38,100
6 Denmark $ 37,000
7 Austria $ 35,500
8 San Marino $ 34,100
9 Switzerland $ 33,600
10 Finland $ 32,800 Source: CIA World Factbook

Would fathers take the paternity leave if it was offered to them? The answer to that is an obvious yes. A recent survey published by the Irish Times only reinforces this.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0919/1221690003468.html
“Men want to play bigger role in their children's lives

CARL O'BRIEN Social Affairs Correspondent

Men say paid paternity leave and more flexible working conditions would allow them to share more equally the burden of childcare and household work
MEN FEEL more flexible working conditions should be introduced to allow them to get involved in childcare and household work, according to an Irish Times /Behaviour Attitudes poll on men.
A large majority (74 per cent) say paid paternity leave and more flexible working conditions should be introduced to allow men to become more involved in child-rearing.
This desire by men for greater involvement in the running of the family extends to their views on single fathers.
They overwhelmingly believe (85 per cent) that single fathers should have the same rights in relation to their children as single mothers. Support is strongest among younger men.

Raising children
Men are relatively traditional in their approach to the family unit.
The vast majority (77 per cent) believe children fare better if they are brought up in a household with a father and mother. Just 11 per cent - mostly young men - feel it does not make any difference. The vast majority of men believe couples who are both working should equally share the role of looking after children.
Some 85 per cent agree that child-rearing duties should be shared. Perhaps surprisingly, middle-aged men are much more likely than younger men to share this view.

Despite this, more than half of men believe a woman should accept that her children are more important than her career.
A total of 56 per cent of men agree with this opinion, with middle-aged and older men much more likely to agree. For example, 45 per cent of 18-24s feel a woman should accept her children are more important than her career, rising to 70 per cent among those aged 65 and over.”

Having read this petition I’m sure that you are also disgusted and ashamed at Irelands treatment of fathers and the family life in this country. This is not an issue which will be laid to rest easily by fobbing us off and saying that "it will be considered as a topic in the next session of the Dáil" This is currently a country that screams "Live to work" instead of "work to live" and implementing a change in paid paternity leave would go a long way to rectifying this.

In conclusion we the people of Ireland Petition for at least 7 days paid paternity leave, as this is the minimum amount of time that a mother will spend in the hospital after a caesarean section. Although most women will have a normal delivery fathers should have the option of being able to take the minimum number of days necessary to care for not only the mother but also other children in the family should she have to undergo a major surgery such as a caesarean section, the recovery period of which is 5 - 7 days hospital stay.

This e-petition was undertaken by the users of www.boards.ie in conjunction with the users of www.mumsfriends.com. Should you wish to contact us further please e-mail paternityleaveactiongroup@gmail.com as it is an e-petition everything is done via the internet.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Paternity Leave Action Group Petition to Irish Government was created by and written by T.Keane (Paternityleaveactiongroup@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.