With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
More dads in California are taking family leave, but still behind mothers. Here's what the data show
More dads in California are taking advantage of the state's paid family leave program.
(
The Washington Post via Getty Images
/
The Washington Post
)
More and more dads in California are taking advantage of the state’s paid family leave program.
Claims from men to bond with their child have gone up 384% since the program started two decades ago compared to a 33% increase from women, according to a report published by the group Paid Leave for All.
“Claims are going up from everybody, but what's really driving that overall increase is this gigantic increase in claims from men,” said Molly Weston Williamson, who authored the report.
Support for LAist comes from
Men now make up 44% of claims for paid family leave, compared to only 18% in 2005.
“I think that really shows some changes in the way men and women are relating to the program,” she said. “What we know is that when dads are able to take paid leave everybody benefits.”
Research has shown that paternity leave benefits a mother’s physical and mental health postpartum, and can even reduce infant mortality rates.
What California offers
Still, Williamson said many parents still don’t know about the benefits they can get from the state.
Paid Family Leave in California
-
- The state offers up to eight weeks of paid family leave for non-birthing parents – and starting this year, the benefits now cover 70 to 90% of their wages.
-
- The program is funded through the California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program, which workers pay into every paycheck. On a paystub, that deduction is often labeled as “CASDI.”
-
- Non-birthing parents can use paid family leave benefits within a year of the baby's birth.
The state offers up to eight weeks of paid family leave for non-birthing parents — and starting this year, the benefits now cover 70% to 90% of their wages.
Support for LAist comes from
Sela Steiger, staff attorney at Legal Aid at Work, said income can also be a barrier. A California Budget & Policy Center analysis found that in 2020, men and women making $80,000 to $100,000 were taking paid family leave at nearly four times the rate of people making less than $20,000 a year.
“We know that many dads are the breadwinners of their family and have both cultural pressure, but also financial pressure to ensure that they are able to maintain a household,” she said.
She’s hoping changes to the state’s recent increase in payments this year will help close the gaps. Workers who make less than $63,000 a year will get 90% of their income replaced while on leave, compared to the previous 60%.
“I do think typically it takes a bit of time for the word to get out just about these programs in general,” she said.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
Best of LAist