Norwegen, ein Väterland
Erstellt von Hans-Georg Nelles am Mittwoch 20. Juli 2011
In Norwegen führen die gesetzlichen Regelungen zum Vaterschaftsurlaub zu einer partnerschaftlicheren Aufteilung von Erwerbs- und Familienarbeit. Das ist eine notwendige Bedingung, viel bedeutsamer ist aber, dass es auf der politischen Ebene prominente Vorbilder gibt.
Last autumn after the birth of his daughter, the Norwegian minister of childhood, equality and social cohesion Audun Lysbakken took four months’ paternity leave. Lysbakken changed nappies, did the shopping and cooked for 16 weeks while his wife went back to work. “I wanted to spend time with my baby and show that important though work is, it does not justify shying away from family responsibilities,” he said. “Being at home means taking care of little things and big ones, knowing when the baby has eaten, knowing her habits, putting away her clothes, being there when she smiles for the first time.”
Lysbakken is not especially original in this. A few weeks after he left on paternity leave, the justice minister, Knut Storberget, also took three months’ paternity leave to take care of his baby, Ingrid. “A few years ago this would have been fairly controversial,” said Lysbakken with a smile. “But today it’s quite the opposite. Now not taking paternity leave would be controversial. In 20 years people’s mentality has really changed.
“Norwegians think it normal for fathers to spend time with their children. If we want women to have equality in the workplace, we have to share the responsibilities in the home better.”
In Norway this family revolution has a name: pappapermisjon. After every birth, the parents both benefit from a two-week leave and then divide up the 46-week parental leave paid at 100%, or alternatively, 56 weeks paid at 80%. In this way Norwegian babies spend their first year with both their parents.
To encourage men to take care of their children, a special 10-week quota is reserved for them. If they are reluctant to take pappapermisjon, they lose the 10 weeks, since the time can’t be transferred to the mother and the whole family loses out. The results have been spectacular. In Norway, 90% of fathers take at least 12 weeks’ paternity leave. Before the law was passed in 1993, only 3% of fathers took paternity leave.
Freitag 22. Juli 2016 um 13:15
An Vorbildern kann man sich orientieren. “Was die können, dass kann ich auch!” Diesmal geht´s nicht um Fußballstars, sondern um Familienväter! Es war noch nie so einfach, es einem prominenten Vorbild nachzumachen!
Auch wenn ich diese Vorbilder nicht brauche und denke, mein Gott ich habe sogar 1,5 Jahre Väterzeit genommen. So wird doch immer deutlicher, wie viele Väter eine deutliche Haltung erkennen lassen. Sie wollen nicht mehr der “kleine Bruder” sein, sondern auf Augenhöhe mit der Partnerin Familienarbeit teilen. Es ist so spannend und so unglaublich wichtig für die Kinder, beide zu haben, Mutter und Vater: hautnah, gefühlsbetont, konstruktiv, lebendig und kreativ und mitten drin. Die Haltung vieler Väter in Norwegen macht deutlich wohin die Reise für viele Väter geht. Weiter so.