In a heartfelt essay for The New York Times, Alexis Ohanian openly shares his frustration with the notion that spending time with one's children is labeled as "babysitting" when it comes to dads.
Despite initially not giving much thought to paternity leave, Ohanian's decision to take a 16-week break upon becoming a father proved transformative for him, boosting his confidence and laying a strong foundation for his family life with his wife, Serena Williams, and their daughter, Alexis Olympia.
In his recent essay, Ohanian highlights the significance of taking paternity leave, acknowledging the stigma surrounding it among men. He recognizes that not all fathers have the flexibility to take leave without concerns about its impact on their careers but emphasizes the importance of family leave policies benefiting everyone.
Ohanian and Williams are fortunate to have support at home and other privileges, allowing them to focus solely on family without job worries. However, Ohanian underscores the challenges even with these advantages, emphasizing that nothing could have kept him away from his family during those crucial early weeks and expressing gratitude for not having to choose between family and work.
Ohanian points out that only 9% of workplaces in the United States offer paid paternity leave to all male employees, with 76% of fathers returning to work within a week after childbirth or adoption. He attributes this lack of support to cultural stigma and societal expectations that condition men to prioritize their careers, often driven by fear.
Despite these challenges, Ohanian reflects on how staying at home with his daughter helped him gain confidence in fatherhood and level the parenting playing field. His paternity leave also facilitated shared parental responsibilities with Williams, eradicating any stigma about traditional "dad" tasks.
Ohanian concludes by advocating for a shift in culture and policies that recognize the importance of family leave for all caregivers, not just birth parents. He encourages dads to speak up to their employers, emphasizing the need for paid family leave as a fundamental right for all caregivers.