Breaking Breadwinner Stereotypes: Redefining Parenthood in the 21st Century

THE GEOSTRATA
23 hours ago
4 min read

In a significant push towards gender-equitable caregiving, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Parliament to frame a comprehensive law on paternity leave as a part of the social security benefit scheme that aims to protect a father's income, employment, and family well-being when he takes time off from work after the birth of or adoption of his child. This comes in the course of hearing a petition that was seeking maternity leave in case of adoption and opened up a larger constitutional and societal conversation about caregiving, gender roles, and the evolving nature of family responsibilities in contemporary India.

Illustration by The Geostrata

In light of the observations made while hearing the Hamsaanandini Nanduri v. Union of India case, which earlier denied maternity leave to women in the case of adoption, the bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan said that parenthood is a shared responsibility between the mother and the father, and the debate opened up to the absence of a statutory framework for paternity leaves, deep structural biases in social security laws, and caregiving being viewed as a woman’s primary responsibility. Their remarks went beyond immediate grievance redressal of the petitioner to highlight the need for a progressive legal shift that should recognize fathers as equal stakeholders in early childcare. The informal direction given by the bench symbolizes the importance of bringing up the constitutional values of equality and dignity and reinforcing the ideas of reform, aligning legal structures with evolving social realities.

THE SILENT HALF OF THE SOCIETY: MEN'S EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

Society has long advocated for the rights of women, but one half of the world still remains curiously underexamined. Conversations on gender justice, mental health, and caregiving have always ignored the perspective of men, particularly as fathers. While society expects men to be protectors, providers, and pillars of strength, it offers them little space to be vulnerable, emotionally expressive, or nurturing. This absence of a voice for the men carries a deep consequence for them, their families, and the social fabric at large.

From an early age, boys are put in a societal box of behavior, emotional expressions, and thought processes. The script is repetitively taught from an early age, with things like “boys don't cry” to “be a man.” These are not casual conversations, but instructions that shape emotional behavior for life. By the time these boys become fathers, they find themselves in a position where they are unable to express emotions and affection. The paradox is not that men lack emotional depth, but that society shapes them in a manner and systematically discourages them from getting in touch with their emotions.

The implications of this emotional absence, conditioned by society, are profound for fathers. Parenthood is supposed to be a transformative experience that brings joy and responsibility. But unlike mothers, whose emotional journeys are acknowledged and talked about, fathers are supposed to just “carry on” without society realizing that maybe not as much as mothers, but fathers also go from being a husband to a father, from an individual to a parent, which makes the debate over paternity leave all the more important so that fathers have a chance to externalize their struggles and reduce stress over being present as a new parent and fulfilling professional responsibilities.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS IN INDIA

The gap in policy around paternity leave in India reinforces these norms and patterns. While laws like the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, recognize the importance of maternal care, there is no equivalent framework for fathers. The only legal recognition that exists is under the Central Civil Services (Leaves) Rules, 1972, which provides male government employees 15 days of paternity leave that can be taken before or within 6 months of childbirth. In the private sector, there is no legal obligation to provide paternity leave, and some companies offer it voluntarily. This framework reinforces the patriarchal concept of society, which treats caregiving as the primary role of women, not only suppressing women’s choices but also forcing men to act certainly. This asymmetry needs to be recognized and resolved, benefiting both the mothers and the fathers.

FATHERHOOD AT THE GLOBAL LEVEL

Comparing the laws on paternity leave across the world shows a clear lesson for India that design matters as much as intent. Countries like Sweden and Norway have not merely introduced leave but have structured it through a “use-it or lose-it” policy and high wage replacement, which ensures that fathers actually avail themselves of it. Meanwhile, Spain is a great example of how equal, fully paid paternity leave can normalize shared caregiving. Japan also represents how provisions fail without cultural uptake. Whereas countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and India have symbolic structures for paternity leave, highlighting how absence or symbolic policy entrenches gendered caregiving roles.

For India, where paternity leave remains largely informal outside the government sector, the takeaway is threefold: firstly, a statutory framework is essential; secondly, leave must be adequately paid to ensure uptake; and thirdly, a non-transferable component for fathers is crucial to shift social norms. Without these design features, any policy is at risk of remaining symbolic rather than transformative, leaving the burden of childcare and economic consequences on the women again.

WAY FORWARD FOR INDIA

While society has always seen women as the primary caregivers, many public figures and cultural icons have broken traditional norms of masculinity to give impetus to this debate. For instance, Virat Kohli has spoken about the transformative impact of fatherhood and the importance of being present for his children, while Barack Obama has also often reflected on the emotional dimensions of parenting and the need for fathers to be actively involved in their children’s lives. These examples are influential and complement the broader societal shift that should normalize emotional expression among men. Both these instances are deeply rooted in job security, financial stability, and institutional flexibility; for the vast majority, such choices are not available. This creates a structural inequality where emotional participation in fatherhood is not an option. Hence, India should consider bridging these gaps and ensuring paid leave, job protection, and universal coverage for all fathers.