I don't know how it works for anyone outsidenthe province of Quebec, but if there is one thointhe governement here has done right it hjas to be governement sponsored parental leave. For those of you who don't know, Quebec is the most highly taxed place in North America: 15 percent sales tax when you factor in both provincial and federal sales taxes, and some crazy steep income taxes.
On the plus side , I get the next five weeks off at 70% of my salary, while my wife gets 50 weeks off-- the first half of which she gets 75% of her salary, and 55% for the remaining half. There is another option which allows one paretnt to have 3 weeks off at 75%, and the other 9 months off at 75%.
Personally I think this is fucking brilliant, since it allowed me to not only help my wife with her post c-section recovery ( which is no joke, really), but, more importantly, allowed me to get to know my oldest daughter-- and threw that I actually got to learn to be a" hands on parent" as opposed to the "walking ATM/breadwinner" model of parenting every man in my familly has alwyas been.
I guess a bit of context is needed here: I'm the first generation Canadian born son of Greek immigrants. Traditionally Greek men do fuck all when it comes to child rearing -- except for putting food on the table and making asses who get too big for their breeches blush. I can honestly say that until ,like, now my father has nevre held a baby in his hands,and that he has never changed a diaper, prepared supper for the kids without mom's assitance (keep in mind that the man was a restauranteur...), put the kids to bed , or kept the kids while mommy went out and had a good time with her friends. nither did any of my uncles or any of their Greek friends.
The point here is that I honestly credit my wife's dogged determination ( she is and will remaion then only person that can ever get me to do something I don't want to), and the provincial governments parental programs, gave me the inclination and the financial security needed to become a better parent.
I asked my dad the other day why he was not more of a hands on kind of dad. Answer: " I worked 120 hours a week when you where born, most of that undeclared. it just wasn't an option."
It got me thinking about other countries /places that don't, much like ol' dad, don't have that option-- for whatever reason-- and was wondering what that's like.
Anyone?
P.S: my fatherly pride won't allow me to not at least show you guys one pic of the little one.
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Pat II
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... I missed the boat on pat leave by a year or so...my employer is really good at giving all sorts of breaks for the kids though. What you speak of is not only a cultural thing, although I have many friends of mediteranean descent and know exactly what you're saying...It's also a generational thing. Along with women playing more of a role in the workforce steadily over the last few decades comes a shift in home responsibility to guess who. I wear a skirt when I get home...get's me steady action though. Fuck the taxes here do suck but socially we can't complain. I pay less for a month of daycare than my friends in Toronto pay for a week. I pay just about the same for a year of auto insurance than I did for two months in the big smoke. It all comes out in the wash. |
billyz
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...I wear a skirt when I get home...get's me steady action though.. Haha! Compared to all the men in my fam I wear a skirt and get a bikini wax. it was a hard transition but I don't regret it. I mean, for crissake, the first time me and my father actually sat down and real discussion I was 24. |
Black Barney
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... congrats on the kid. I live in Quebec and hope to take parental leave. I think men can take 6 weeks. Guys at work here take 3 weeks cuz it's more macho not to take 6 weeks. SO LAME. I would like to take 2-3 weeks after the kid is born and then take the remainder a few months later when the kid is doing something other than sleeping all day |
billyz
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... @barney: you know it's funny: a lot of guys ate work looked at me funny when I told them I was taking five weeks. Thye asked me what kind of man I was. I told 'em the kind that saves his machismo for the sack and bustin' heads. |
lj1983
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... I wish we had paternity leave. my daughter is due early october, and I've got a couple weeks vacation saved up, and I'll take some unpaid vacation (Family Medical Leave Act) on top of that. |
Hatchling
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... bulliz, you've got a brilliant attitude towards the work of parenting. Your wife and children are very lucky to have you. |
Pat II
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... What the fuck can be macho about staying at work being someone else's bitch? In my world the words "work" and "fun" are not synonymous (although I do have a pretty gravy non-stressful job). I'd rather spend every minute I can with my kids than be at work personally...mind you it is also nice when the wife and kids are out of town for a few days! (clink!) |
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