EU National Systems of Child-Related Leave: A Maternalist Approach, Despite the Work-Life Balance Directive

Abstract

The Work-Life Balance (WLB) Directive has created for the first time at European Union (EU) level a right to paternity leave and effective incentives for fathers to make use of the right to parental leave. The goal of this Directive is to correct the imbalance of the previous EU model on child-related leave, with the ultimate aim of achieving a more equal sharing of leave between men and women, improving the situation of women in the labour market, and eventually achieving more equality both at home and at work.This article examines twenty-seven EU national systems of child-related leave to ascertain to what extent they fit in the new EU model and are gender-balanced. National data shows that, despite the new rights and incentives created for fathers, there is a widespread maternalist approach, with lengths of maternity leave far longer than those of paternity leave and few well-paid daddy months of parental leave. Finally, it suggests some ideas on how the EU can bring closer national rights of mothers and fathers, both in terms of entitlements and actual use, and advocates an egalitarian approach under which both parents have equal real chances to spend time with their children.