HBR has published their daily stat that 85% of fathers in Sweden take extensive paid parental leave. Just imagine if 85% of men in Australia took any parental leave!

The Swedes get 16 months paid parental leave per child and apparently leave-takers aren’t penalized when applying for or being award promotions. And the significant investment in parental leave is seen as a contributing factor to lower divorce rates.

So if Sweden has implemented such a good program, and it seems to have positive marital impact and little work detriment, why is there so much fear from Australian’s about getting even a few months?