New research from Griffith University suggests that despite recent improvements, the language surrounding paid parental leave (PPL) schemes continues to subtly portray fathers as secondary or optional caregivers. This subtle bias, embedded within policy documents, can have significant consequences for how fathers perceive their role in early childcare and for societal expectations as a whole.
The study, led by Ph.D. candidate Lily Lewington, analyzed 24 Australian government legislative documents related to PPL from 2010 to 2024. Her findings, published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues, reveal a persistent tendency to frame mothers as the primary caregivers.
“I wanted to delve into how the PPL scheme talks about fathers,” Lewington explained, “and understand what that language reveals about societal expectations surrounding childcare responsibilities.”
Lewington’s analysis indicates that the policy often defaults to assuming mothers are the main caregivers, sometimes referring to fathers as the “other parent” or including them only under specific circumstances. This, she argues, positions fathers as support figures rather than equal partners in parenting. Simple action → complex consequences → unintended effects. The initial intention of the PPL was to support families, but subtly biased language can reinforce gender stereotypes and limit fathers’ involvement.
“Even with recent updates aiming for inclusivity, fathers are still frequently positioned as secondary,” Lewington said. This can discourage fathers from actively engaging in childcare from the outset.
While Australia’s PPL framework has been critiqued, the study also provides an important comparative perspective. Many European nations offer fathers dedicated, non-transferable leave , a practice designed to specifically encourage paternal involvement. Associate Professor Bernadette Sebar highlights this disparity: “Several countries, particularly in Europe, provide fathers with weeks, even months, of paid leave that the mother cannot access.”
According to Sebar, Korea leads the way, offering fathers a substantial 54 weeks of paid leave. In stark contrast, Australia provides only two weeks of “Dad and Partner Pay,” a relatively recent introduction with historically low uptake among fathers.
One father, Mark, whose daughter was born shortly before the “Dad and Partner Pay” was introduced, recalls, “There was this underlying assumption at work that I wouldn’t take much time off. It was all geared towards my wife taking the bulk of the leave.” He added, “Life would never be quite the same,” as he realised the system wasn’t really designed to support him as an equal caregiver.
Lewington emphasizes the need for systemic change to genuinely support both parents equally. She advocates for a shift towards clearer, more inclusive language and dedicated leave specifically for fathers. This will require a fundamental recognition that caregiving is a shared responsibility that both parents should be encouraged and enabled to undertake from the beginning.
- Clearer Language: Eliminating phrases that automatically assume the mother is the primary caregiver.
- Dedicated Father’s Leave: Providing non-transferable leave specifically for fathers to encourage uptake.
- Equal Recognition: Acknowledging and supporting both parents as equal caregivers from the outset.
The lack of support can bleed into other areas. Sarah M, a mother of two, posted on X.com: “My husband felt awkward taking his leave, like he was letting the team down. That needs to change.” One Facebook commenter wrote: “My wife had to argue with HR to even get me two weeks paid!” another stated, “I see a lot of dads on instagram going through similar issues.”
For true gender equality in parenting, Lewington argues, a fundamental shift in policy language and societal expectations is crucial. Unless these underlying biases are addressed, fathers will continue to face subtle , and not-so-subtle , barriers to fully participating in their children’s early years. The reserach shows how easily language and a lopsided PPL scheme can marginalise fathers from equaly taking part in early childcare.
More information:
Lily Lewington et al, ‘The Other Parent’: A Critical Policy Analysis of Fatherhood Discourses in the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave Scheme, Australian Journal of Social Issues (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ajs4.70036
Provided by Griffith Universtity
