Father’s commitment to children increases family well-being

Father's participation in child care is important for the whole family. Father's and mother's commitment to children has a positive impact for the relationship of parents and for the relationship of a father and a child. Sharing family leave between parents makes responsibility for family and raising children more equal.

Law reform brings flexibility and new possibilities
Family leave law reform became valid in the beginning of this year. The purpose of reform is to encourage new fathers to participate and commit more actively in taking care of small children. At the moment only a small part of Finnish fathers use their possibility to take family leave.

Law reform increased the amount of parental allowance to 75 percent during the first 30 days of leave. Also the amount of maternity allowance from first 56 days of leave was raised to 90 percent. Parents can now more flexibly decide when father takes his paternity leave month.

Parents can share family leave
Paternal leave is a leave of 1 to 18 weekdays that the father can keep at the same time with the mother or simultaneously with maternal or family leave. Maternal leave (4 months) is followed by family leave. Family leave lasts about 6 months (158 weekdays), and either of the two parents can take it. Parents can also share family leave.

Contrary to the common comprehension family leave might even have a positive influence on family's economical situation, when father's tax percent decreases and mother can benefit that in her own income taxation. Taxation is always a personal matter and you can get more information about it from your local tax office.

Find more information about family leaves from the website of The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA) www.kela.fi