What a wonderfully progressive country:
For nearly four decades, [Swedish] governments of all political hues have legislated to give women equal rights at work — and men equal rights at home.
Swedish mothers still take more time off with children — almost four times as much.
Companies have come to expect employees to take leave irrespective of gender, and not to penalize fathers at promotion time.
Women’s paychecks are benefiting and the shift in fathers’ roles is perceived as playing a part in lower divorce rates and increasing joint custody of children.
But laws reserving at least two months of the generously paid, 13-month parental leave exclusively for fathers — a quota that could well double after the September election — have set off profound social change.
A study published by the Swedish Institute of Labor Market Policy Evaluation in March showed, for instance, that a mother’s future earnings increase on average 7 percent for every month the father takes leave.
(Source)
How wonderful would it be to live in a country like that?
European countries are at the forefront for paternity leave, and I really glom on the fact about how a mother’s future earnings increase an average of 7% for every month the father takes leave.
Proof!
This would help balance not only women’s lives, but men’s as well.
And other countries are following suit:
Portugal is the only country where paternity leave is mandatory — but only for a week. Iceland has arguably gone furthest, reserving three months for father, three months for mother and allowing parents to share another three months.
The trend is, however, no longer limited to small countries.
Germany, with nearly 82 million people, in 2007 tweaked Sweden’s model, reserving two out of 14 months of paid leave for fathers.
Within two years, fathers taking parental leave surged from 3 percent to more than 20 percent.
I think it’s fabulous.
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
I think I want to move overseas… 14 months maternity leave? In the US it is what, 4 wks?! Wonderful for those countries, embarrassing for us.
Wish it were true.
yeah that's definitely one thing I like about Sweden! The rest is, eh
It would be lovely if women could have more than 6 weeks off mostly without pay in the US and dads get zilch aka 0. It would be lovely if the US allowed more time off paid for both parents without penalizing either one for promotions, pay raises etc.
I’d love MANDATORY paid paternity and maternity leave. We kind of need to boost up our sagging populations, no?
Sagging populations? Last time I checked, that wasn't the problem. There are more than enough people on this planet.
I think it's a great idea!
I think the problem with the feminist revolution up until now has been that women could do more, but only if they DID MORE. Even willing and able guys haven't gotten the support they need to help out at home and with kids. Stay at home husbands/dads really get a bad rap. So, women have been stuck doing all the old stuff plus the new stuff and not everyone can be or wants to be supermom.
It's not quite perfect yet, but I see stuff like this as a step in the right direction that will help both men and women — and children, too.
We do do it! Canada now has a 3 month Maternity leave, and a 9 month parental leave. The Mat leave is for the Mom to rest up heal and bond but the 9month leave can be taken by either parent. It is just traditionally taken by Mom.
But I think in Sweden it’s mandatory the guy takes it… at least a couple of weeks. I don’t see many guys in Canada doing it.