How COVID-19 helped ‘chip away’ at parental leave stereotypes

The COVID-19 pandemic has helped “chip away” at entrenched gender stereotypes when it comes to paid parental leave, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency has found.

And parental advocates agree.

Georgie Dent, Executive Director of The Parenthood, told Ross and Russel unprecedented numbers of men working from home had “changed the experience for dads”.

“If you’re not home all day with a baby, you do tend to think that ‘you’re just home with a baby, how could that be so hard’ but then when you actually spend the day there, you realise there is so much involved here,” she said.

“I think that’s why we have seen the increase in dad’s taking paid primary leave.”

But statistics show Australian men still only take less than 20 per cent of parental leave entitlements.

Ms Dent said it was down to the fact Australia’s policies “don’t support” men staying home.

“It has to be well paid,” she said.

“If it’s minimum wage, dad’s don’t take it.”

Press PLAY below to hear her explain why

Picture: Getty iStock