Paternity Leave: Leave your "Man Card" at the door?

I came across a blog where the individual was talking about a Sweden policy where the man actually takes paternity leave when his wife or partner is having a baby. It is a paid paternity leave given to these men by their jobs so they can help out around the house with the baby. I thought it was definitely a new avenue in the road to masculinity. Swedish men begin their 18-month paternity leave once their wives have gone back to work, my guess is to familiarize the child with both parents and their nurturing styles. The men, according to the "Stroller-derby: The Mother of All Parenting Blogs," were very happy to help around the house,

"they talked about poop and milestones and discipline just like he had been told mothers always did. No talk of sports. No talk of what line of work they were in. Everyone faced the same day-to-day challenges as each other — and as their wives had before they returned to work" (Madeline Holler-Strollerderby: The Mother of All Parenting Blogs).

I think that this is a great step more male culture, even if it isn't in America and even if some Americans, if not most, would be confused as to why a father who doesn't have to be home, chooses to. It isn't like he isn't getting paid for it, but something tells me that if this idea was presented to men in western culture, they would not be so apt to doing it. I think it sets a great standard for the child that is being raised by both parents as well. In a culture where you can be a "man" just for drinking Coors and also lose your "man card" for drinking Coors Light, I think it is great to see a person actually stepping up to the plate and being a "man" for a useful reason.

I also liked how the women worked in this scenario. It would have been great if the men took paternity leave and just helped their partners out at home, but the fact that women are going back to work and men are left alone to take care of the children is a great step that shows the child so many more options. Men should be helping out with the child if they helped to make it!