Expectations for Paternity Leave Among Male Partners in the Postpartum Setting: A Cross-Sectional Survey at a Public Hospital in Los Angeles, California (2023) [ID 2683493

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Early paternal involvement in childcare benefits both birthing mothers and their children. Unfortunately, paid paternity leave is neither mandated nor protected at the state and federal levels, leading to wide variations in early paternal involvement. METHODS: As a part of this IRB-approved study, we conducted interviewer-facilitated surveys with English- and Spanish-speaking male partners encountered in the postpartum ward at Los Angeles General Medical Center. The survey queried general sociodemographic factors, employment status, and access to, as well as, planned utilization of paternity leave (both paid and unpaid). We conducted bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regressions to identify factors linked to fathers not taking paternity leave. RESULTS: Most respondents (N=100) identified as Hispanic or Latinx (76.0%), reported English as their primary language (58.0%), and had an average age of 30.6 years. Ninety-three respondents reported being employed; more than half either reported that their workplace did not have a paternity leave policy (39.1%) or being unsure of their workplace’s policy (17.4%). Only 15.2% reported anticipating paternity leave with full pay. Respondents who knew their workplace policies planned to take no more than 3 weeks of leave on average. Respondents had greater odds of not taking paternity leave if non-English speaking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.39; 95% CI, 0.93–6.16), uninsured (aOR 5.01; 95% CI, 1.26–20.35), or publicly insured (aOR 2.86; 95% CI, 0.95–8.65). CONCLUSION: Male partners in our primarily Hispanic, publicly insured patient population anticipated taking minimal paternity leave, raising questions regarding the role of employee protections or the lack thereof in the face of socioeconomic pressures and cultural differences.