Should Fathers Get Paternity Leave? - Richard Reeves
In a Nutshell
Richard Reeves argues fathers deserve paternity leave because dads provide unique, valuable support to newborns and mothers—unlike Scott Galloway's view that men are useless at births, or Derek Thompson's gender equity framing—as evidenced by owl monkeys' exemplary fathering and Reeves' own experiences. He critiques both extremes: reject shaming dads for skipping the birthing room (evidence mixed on its benefits) and instead celebrate fatherhood for kids' sake. Practical tips include prepping tools like a Phillips screwdriver, good scissors, and swimming trunks to avoid mishaps.
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Scott Galloway and Derek Thompson debated paternity leave on Scott's podcast. Derek returned from paternity leave—first hour back after a couple of months—and Scott asked how he was doing. Scott said he doesn't understand paternity leave, men shouldn't be at births, it's disgusting, men should be outside smoking cigarettes like the old days, then go back to work. Derek argued men need time off to be with kids, otherwise women are the only ones taking time off, leading to gender inequality in the workplace.
Derek was incredibly coherent despite just returning. Speaker finds both wrong: Scott wrong that dads are of no use in early months—they provide different but valuable support to moms. Dads often main allo-parent, around and getting stuff done.
Owl monkeys are the best dads in the natural world. Dads around all the time; moms breastfeed/nurture, dads do everything else—get food, organize, stay around kids.
Speaker's experience matches: can't do what moms do, don't feel the same about baby (not wired to at that point), but still useful.
Don't frame paternity leave as men taking time off so women aren't the only ones, to close gender pay gap or for gender equity. Dads should take time off because dads are awesome, kids are awesome, kids do well with dads around.
Not as deputy/malfunctioning mom, or 'if only you could be a mom'. Dads amazing in their own way, different from moms on average. Pro-dad argument, not gender equality one.
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