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Why? Every single one of those coworkers was born at some point. So they benefited from their parents coworkers getting some time off. And almost all of them wi
by MichaelSalib 16y ago
Why? Every single one of those coworkers was born at some point. So they benefited from their parents coworkers getting some time off. And almost all of them will themselves eventually benefit when they decide to have a kid....
- yummyfajitas 16y agoIt's irrelevant that there are benefits from paid time off. What is relevant is whether the benefits exceed the costs. Most people with the freedom to choose believe the benefits of time off do not exceed the costs.
- thomas11 16y agoYour last statement is most likely not true for Europe. So in the end it comes down to cultural preference. If the majority prefers a certain way of doing things, it makes sense to back it up with legislation to harmonize it and make it safe for the individual (in this case, for instance, guaranteeing you to get your old job back after maternity leave).
- yummyfajitas 16y agoThe article explicitly notes that when Swedes were free to choose, they did not choose paternity leave.
- m_eiman 16y agoWe're free to not take paternity leave, if we choose. Maybe most people here enjoy spending time with their children more than they'd enjoy earning 100% instead of ~80% of their normal pay.
- yummyfajitas 16y agoYou are free not to receive the benefits. You are not free to avoid most of the costs. For anyone who values the benefits at less than the full costs, this policy is harmful.
- silverlake 16y agoI mostly agree with your points in this thread, but this statement might be incorrect. Earlier, Swedes with X income did not choose paternity leave. Now Swedes are given X+leave benefits and therefore do choose paternity leave. Although they were always free to choose, it might be the extra bonus that nudged them into taking the leave. Also, people are not economically rational. They will blow all their money and then, when they have a kid, not have enough to support themselves for an extended leave. Few people have the self-discipline to save for anything in the distant future, including retirement.
- MichaelSalib 16y agoMost people with the freedom to choose believe the benefits of time off do not exceed the costs. Cite?