Paternity Leave: It's Not Just For Moms Anymore

From the Other Countries Treat Their Families Better department: the Spanish government is currently contemplating a proposal that would allow for men to take two weeks of paid paternity leave.

Crazy, huh?

Here, mothers are lucky if they receive paid maternity leave, let alone dads. Most places expect moms to keep working until the very last second, plop that sucker out on the factory floor, and keep making the widgets.

When your baby arrives, the first two weeks are tough. It can be an extremely stressful time, especially if you're first-time parents. You need as much help as possible: the mother, the father, grandparents, neighbors, strangers off the street, etc. Which is why it's a great idea to have Dad home as well.

I actually took two weeks' worth of unpaid paternity leave when my daughter was born. I remember telling the HR guy of my plans. I was taking an "extended leave of absence" for "medical reasons." He seemed confused when I brought it up. He started flipping through his handbooks and finally realized that it was ok for me to take paternity leave. "We've never had a guy take maternity leave before. And we've been around for eighty years!"

Welcome to the 21st century, buddy.

What are your thoughts? Do you think men should be allowed to take paid paternity leave? Or do you think that would create too much financial stress on businesses? Dads, where you able to take paternity leave? Was it paid or unpaid leave?