Men across UWA are taking parental leave to care for their children, and loving it.

While men are still in the minority of University staff taking parental leave, recent years have seen a rise in the number of men taking time out of their careers to be primary carers, supported by UWA’s gender-neutral parental leave policy.

UWA Forward spoke to academic and professional staff who have spent time as stay-at-home dads.

Adrian Wilks: Support from colleagues made the transition easier

For Adrian Wilks, Senior HR Advisor, the decision to take six months’ parental leave last year to care for his second newborn daughter, was a no-brainer.

“My wife took parental leave after the birth of our first daughter, while I worked full-time,” Adrian said.

“When it came to our next baby, I didn’t hesitate to take leave to be the primary carer. My wife loves her job, so it was great she could have the opportunity to return to work.”

Working in HR, Adrian was familiar with UWA’s Parental Leave policy, which offers eligible staff who are primary carers up to 36 weeks’ paid leave. The policy is gender-neutral, and also offers provisions for unpaid parental leave.

“The decision for me to take leave was made easier with the University’s gender-neutral approach to parental leave, along with the support I received from my supervisor and colleagues,” he said.

“I’m glad I got to experience first-hand how the parental leave policy supports inclusion and diversity, and I recommend other men seize the chance to do the same.”

Andrew Brown: A special time to bond with my children

Management Accountant Andrew Brown took 12 months’ parental leave in 2017 to care for his newborn son, and twin boys aged two and a half years.  

“Looking after the baby was awesome but an additional highlight for me was spending time with my twin boys and seeing them grow.

“I can’t speak highly enough of my decision to take parental leave and will always be thankful to the University for supporting me to have that special time to bond with my children,” he said.

“Many of my male friends commented that they would love to have done the same if their employer offered similar parental leave benefits as UWA.”

Ethan Blue: I wanted to challenge gender stereotypes for my kids

Senior Lecturer in History Dr Ethan Blue was a trailblazer, taking parental leave in 2008 to care for his newborn and two-year-old daughter.

“I embraced the opportunity to care for my children and found it both a challenging and enriching experience,” he said.

“As a man caring for children, I think we receive kudos not normally attributed to a woman, like being told I’m a ‘great father’ whilst grocery shopping with a baby strapped to my chest and a toddler by my side.

"I think my children benefited from having me as their full-time carer, not just because I'm a great dad, but also because we challenged the outdated and damaging gender binary where men are expected to do 'productive labour' outside the home and women are supposed to focus on home-based 'reproductive labour’."

Sean Ashton: Parental leave was my ‘now or never’ moment

In 2020, Sean Ashton, the University’s Health and Wellbeing Manager, took 18 months’ parental leave to care for his newborn, four-year-old son and six-year-old daughter.

After the birth of his third child, Sean felt it was a ‘now or never’ moment to take time away from his career to be a stay-at-home dad.

“With the culmination of knowing UWA had a generous parental leave policy, my wife’s business taking off, and the finality that we were not having any more children, I knew I this was a last chance opportunity,” he said.

“My manager, friends and family were all really supportive and made me feel at ease about my decision making while I was going through the leave application process.”

With Sean’s parental leave coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s witnessed a change in the way families are choosing to split parenting responsibilities.

“I feel there has been a positive shift towards men taking parental leave, particularly with COVID causing a blurring of lines between work and family life while working from home,” he said.

Sean encourages other men to consider taking parental leave.

“As parents, we have a small window of time to share those special moments to bond with our children when they are young,” he said.

“My advice, is if it’s right for you and your family, be bold and brave and take the plunge because you won’t regret it.”

Images above: Andrew Wilkes and his children, Andrew Brown and his children, Sean Ashton and his family