Research also finds that paid leave results in parents spending increased time with their infants—not only during the leave period but also after returning to work, up until 3 years of age. This includes mothers spending increased time reading to, talking to, and helping with homework and fathers playing with children for more hours per week.

Paternity leave is also associated with increased engagement in child care during infancy and beyond, improved relationship quality between co-parents, and sharing child care and household tasks more equally both before and after leave.

Research finds that fathers who take paternity leave (and in particular two or more weeks of leave) are more likely to have better relationships with their children.

Specifically, fathers who take leave show better communication with their children, are closer to their children, and their children see them as a more involved parent. The positive... See more

Research also finds that when married fathers take paternity leave, they are less likely to get divorced. This finding applied to short paternity leave (one week or less) and longer leave (a month). The researchers found that the positive impact on the marriage may last up to six years.