More men staying home to raise the children
Women are the breadwinners in one-in-seven Australian homes while more men are staying home to play Mr. Mom, according to new census data.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that the number of women earning more than half the household income has risen by 75 per cent in 10 years, with more than 500,000 families having a female breadwinner.
Another study shows that one-third of employers provide paid paternity leave for new dads.
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency survey of 1,443 workplaces found that 32 per cent offered paid paternity leave in 2005, compared with 15 per cent in 2001.
“Paid paternity leave is a signal that businesses understand that men want to play an active role as a parent and are supportive of them undertaking this role,” said the agency's director Anna McPhee.
According to the survey, the majority of organisations (67 per cent) provide one week, however, 16 per cent provide two weeks. Only one-third (29 per cent) of private sector companies provide paid paternity leave, but 100 per cent of trade unions, 92 per cent of higher education institutions and 68 per cent of non-government schools provide it.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that the number of women earning more than half the household income has risen by 75 per cent in 10 years, with more than 500,000 families having a female breadwinner.
Another study shows that one-third of employers provide paid paternity leave for new dads.
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency survey of 1,443 workplaces found that 32 per cent offered paid paternity leave in 2005, compared with 15 per cent in 2001.
“Paid paternity leave is a signal that businesses understand that men want to play an active role as a parent and are supportive of them undertaking this role,” said the agency's director Anna McPhee.
According to the survey, the majority of organisations (67 per cent) provide one week, however, 16 per cent provide two weeks. Only one-third (29 per cent) of private sector companies provide paid paternity leave, but 100 per cent of trade unions, 92 per cent of higher education institutions and 68 per cent of non-government schools provide it.
