Shouldn't the guys child-free or not also get some maternity leave? You know, while we're at it.

Sure it sounds really clever to say that, but try thinking this through. If people stop having children there will come a time when the population is all too old to be productive. Young people are necessary for society to function. We’re all going to die and when we get too old to keep working and taking care of ourselves, who do you think is going to do that? There are countries in the world that have to pay young people to live there because their population is so old that they can’t get enough workers to run the society. Providing time off to allow parents to give their children a decent start is very important for a civilized society. If you really think that people have kids just to get time off I suggest that you just go ahead and do it yourself to find out how easy it is.

Hi! OP here. Absolutely they fricken should. I was only speaking from my female perspective, but they have paid parental leave. I say paid year off for the bros to mess about in canoes too! #equality

Don’t you know that males are eligible for parental leave too? Obviously they don’t need it for physical reasons like the woman who carried and birthed the child, but they are eligible. I think it’s just that both parents can’t get leave at the same time or something. But your whole premise is just dumb as far as I’m concerned. Becoming a parent isn’t a joke and it’s a massive responsibility. The idea that it’s equivalent to having time off to mess around in canoes is juvenile.