Daddy Wars Conflicts Are Becoming Increasingly ...

Daddy Wars Conflicts are becoming increasingly common in workplaces, as fathers press for more family time. As dads demand paternity leave, telecommuting, flexible work schedules and other new benefits, they’ve ignited what workplace specialists call Daddy Wars. Several Fortune 500 companies now pitch such family-friendly benefits to men. Under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, fathers are allowed to take up to 12 weeks unpaid leave in a year for the birth, adoption or medical illness of a child. Some states grant dads additional rights. This is redefining men’s roles as more mothers join the labor force and take on jobs with longer hours and higher work demands. 59% of women 16 and over are in the labor force, up from 43% in ’70. And the numbers will continue to rise: Don Winter of the Harrison Group says, “There are fewer men going on to college. Women, for many years to come, are going to be more successful. So guys are seeing their roles shift. They have to take on more of a domestic role.” Nearly 70% of fathers surveyed by Monster say they would consider being a stay-at-home parent if money were no object. 71% of fathers with a child under age 5 have already taken paternity leave with no pay when it was. More dads now define success as a good relationship with their children and spouse. 56% of working men say they share equal responsibility with their spouse for scheduling household appointments and activities. (USA Today 12/11/07)