Louise Summers asks why childcare is still not equally shared (Letters, 18 July). One answer could be because most governments skew childcare responsibility towards the mother. I was “fortunate” to be on gardening leave for the first three months of my son’s life. This created a wonderful father-son bond, which has continued into his adulthood.
Fathers should be entitled to the same amount of parental leave and pay as mothers (except for two weeks for childbirth). If fathers took up to 12 months’ leave, not only would the probability of shared caring increase, but also fathers may learn how important childcare is.
Tony Leather
South Shields, Tyne and Wear
