Fathers are often portrayed as optional or secondary caregivers in language surrounding Paid Parental Leave (PPL), according to new research from Griffith University, with mothers assumed as the main caregiver.
The Australian PPL government scheme aims to support working parents through financial assistance and the promotion of gender equality in caregiving responsibilities. However, its implementation has been critiqued for marginalising fathers and reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Looking into this critique, the new study, “The other parent: A critical policy analysis of fatherhood discourses in the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave Scheme’’, analysed 24 legislative government documents about PPL from when the scheme started in 2010 up to the latest update in 2024.
The newest iteration of the PPL policy has removed the binary terms primary and secondary, however still uses language that strongly implies that the mother is equated with the ‘parent’.
For example, the study found in the current version of the PPL policy, “the child’s birth mother” is specified first in issues related to who can claim PPL pay, which reinforces the entrenched role of the mother as primary caregiver. It also repeatedly uses the term ‘birth mother’ rather than ‘birth parent’.
The lead author, PhD candidate Lily Lewington from Griffith’s School of Medicine and Dentistry said she “wanted to better understand how the PPL talks about fathers, and what use of language tells us about who is expected to take on the caring role of children.
“I found the policy often assumes mothers are the main caregivers and refers to fathers as the ‘other parent’ or only includes them in exceptional circumstances, portraying Dads as more of a support person than an equal parent.”
While the 2024 version of the PPL scheme has improved since it was first introduced in 2010, such as including more inclusive language, Lewington says “it still mostly positions fathers as secondary when it comes to caregiving”.
The study also compares Australia’s PPL scheme with that of other countries, finding that the nation often falls short when it comes to the length of leave. Australia offers two weeks of paid father-specific leave, however, many other countries, especially in Europe offer several weeks or even months of paid leave for fathers.
Korea is at the top of the list, offering fathers 54 weeks of paid leave, followed by Japan (52), France (31), Luxembourg (28), Slovak Republic (28) and Portugal (22.3).
“In contrast, Australia only offered two weeks of Dad and Partner pay until recently, and even then, uptake by fathers was low,” Associate Professor Bernadette Sebar said.
“Other countries do more to encourage and normalise fathers taking leave.”
Calling for systemic change to support both parents equally, Lewington says Australia needs a PPL scheme that encourages fathers to take the leave without needing permission or facing extra hurdles.
“For this to occur, there needs to be clearer and more inclusive language, dedicated leave just for fathers, and recognition that caregiving is something both parents should be supported to do from the beginning,” Lewington said.