The Need for Cultural Change on Paternal Leave - Essay Example

The need for cultural change on paternal leave

Paternal leave involves a period that a father is legally allowed to take a break off from his routine work. Leaves or off mostly last for one or two weeks at most. Most popular reasons why a father figure may take leave would be to babysit his newborn, to have time with his family, sickness of his close folks, time to rest or other many major or minor reasons. However, in our culture, today, paternal leave is full of pessimistic perception, and fathers do not take parental leaves for their known purposes. Some men do not take leaves because of the assumption of finding courage from peers and others due to the influence of their cultural, religious beliefs. Other men just have it as a principle that they cannot go for leave. However, job leaves are mandatory for everyone, including the men, purposely, to bond with their children. Paternity leaves and all leaves and off, in general, are essential for they relieve stress and depression and improve marriage terms and relationships. It is not guaranteed that when one is given a leave should be paid since according to Findlaw.com, the US does not guarantee payment for leaves. However, in the UK, the working time regulations in the year 1998, has it that all employees should be given a 28 days break and should be paid. The employment care in the UK also gives employees the right to leave and off to care for their children and even the right to flexible working patterns and hours. In all countries, the right for leaves is guaranteed, but the payment for leaves depends on a country's regulations. This paper will argue about cultural diffusion, acculturation and appropriation of paternal leaves.

The main leaves in any employment organization are sick leaves and emergency leaves. However, maternal sick and emergency leaves are 63 % of the paternal leaves. I am highly interested in Beaumont ‘s article, “Why do women take more sick leave than men – and what can we do about it?” which has it that culturally male presenteeism in the workplace is greater than that of women. This male dominance started during our ancestral era and has been culturally diffused to modern culture.  The theory under this study is that men are most likely to go to work excellently whether well or unwell. Women are termed as weak vessels which are susceptible to sickness and are likely to be made weak by the diseases. Still on the same article, I find it interesting when Paul says that women are perceived to be domestic and that their obligation of taking care of the elderly folks and young children ties them down. Therefore, they are viewed with the assumption of taking many sick leaves and emergency leaves more often than men. This perception started during the olden days where the history women states that women did the domestic roles, midwives, spinning clothes and house wives. These are perceptions of the 17th century in Africans community and the same cultural assumptions have become culturally misappropriated in both white and black communities though partially. From physical observation, these claims seem to be true since most women with children are working and the number is on the rise.  The question remains, are these only the cultural reasons that are behind women's frequency in taking leaves and men not ready to take leaves in the current society? My answer is NO, there are other many reasons in the current societies that make women want to take leaves and as if not enough extend them and men not ready to take leaves.  One is lack of empowerment and control among women, since most people work in stressful working environments where their freedom of speech and decision making is partially available, they tend to fake sickness and ask for leave and end up extending them as explained in  a recent Norway study. Most men are assumed to occupy top ranks in workplaces hence not susceptible to harsh working environment effects. Dr Samuel Harvey from the university of New South Wales supports my argument by saying that, ‘it seems that being confined in a high-stress environment and having no control leads to long-term absences.’ His claims support it that it’s the comfortability of men in working places that make them no to have the urge of seeking for job leaves. Mady Rutter, a psychologist of employee wellbeing in Validium also supports the claim by saying that,’ women occupy the less powerful positions in the workplace mostly have less control in their roles.’  According to Rutter, lack of control of roles in work places is a foundation of the many maternal leaves. As we all know, illnesses, both mental or physical, are more likely to associate with people with less control and power, we therefore expect women to be more prevalent to illnesses as they have less control and power. This one a culture which needs to be perfected since other women are in high positions in workplaces and do not take leaves.

Understanding the issue of both paternal and maternal leaves and why most men do not take job leaves, from different perspectives is very essential. The current culture from biblical beliefs and rearing beliefs adopted from parents has it that, the work of men is to provide, protect and provide their power as explained by (Degges-White). These are most reasons why men do not take leaves since they think when they provide for their families, prove their power by being the commanders in their families and protect their families by building good, secure houses is just enough role for them as fathers. Others think doing extra miles will be a lack of control and command for their families while others think helping in doing domestic work will attract intimidation from their peers. However, from an employer's angle or view point, men love works due to the company they get from colleagues while women like taking leaves to care for other people like children, elderly and also their husbands. However, since these women's roles are automatic employers should consider it as an equal priority.  Culture has it that men have the freest time and do not get too tired to consider leaves more often. The fact is in most homes, men would get out of work at the same time with women, men would shower and relax as women get into domestic chores like cooking, and washing. This would serve as another fact why men do not seek for leaves since they have more time to relax after work. The other fact I would argue on men’s presenteeism in work places with absolutely no leaves or minimal leaves, is that men do not incur menstrual periods that would interfere with their moods and feelings. Women do and the job leaves are good evidence that they respond to the same.  Furthermore, Mady Rutter supports this argument by saying that, ‘We need to think about the standard explanation of women having more caring duties, or women having more time off for menstrual problems, pregnancy, and menopause.” The mentioned cultures are some points to lean on when it comes to paternal leaves but that is not enough since there are more personal issues that make men not to go for leaves and there are also men who like taking leaves more than the women. Other reasons why men do not seek leaves is the issue of economic degradation since most leaves are unpaid and another reason is many commitments in work that may make them not to take leaves due to work loads.

According to (U.S. Department of Labor) arguments, it is very essential for working men to consider taking leaves and offs for various reasons. One, men should take their paternal leaves in order to benefit their children and wives by helping them change the diapers and also change the culture behind work and families (page 1). Psychologists have it that between 2 and 3 years is when a parent should create a bond with their children and build the child’s trust in them. The U.S department also has it that paternal leaves increase the engagement, marriage and bonding with not only the child but the family at large (page 2). Therefore, the culture behind paternal leaves should be changed as soon as possible before families get broken up.

Considering the question in the guidelines on artifacts, i would like to argue that the stolen artifacts of Egypt by the Britain nation should be returned back to Egypt. Some of the artifacts are MacGregor plaque, Hunters Palette, Gebelein predynastic mummies, Rosetta stone, young memnon, Rhind Mathematical Papyrus. The reason they should return them is because the artifacts are part of Egyptian historical culture and identity of the nation and returning them would be an indication of honor for Egyptian culture. Again, historical and cultural tourism is an income source to many nations. Therefore, returning the artifacts will increase the nation's wealth and attract more tourists which would indirectly lead to the increase of the income of the nation of Egypt. Taking Egyptian artifacts to the Britain museums means deprivation of Egypt their economic opportunity. The fact that most less developed artifacts were stolen during the colonial period and that they are still in the hands of imperialists is a reminder of the oppression and exploitation the powerful nations practiced on the developing nations. The artefacts are souvenirs to the colonialists and would be of economic importance to Egyptians. This can be termed as exploitation and therefore the artifacts should be returned following the claims in (Debatewise.Org).

According to (Benderson), it is very essential to have laws limiting cultural ownership since cultural property represents human history and society achievement. Therefore, when the law is enforced, stealing cultural artifacts will be forbidden and the stolen ones will be returned without arguments. Besides, most cultural properties are in their physical form and are easily accessible to damage, destruction and theft. Some of the cultural artifacts include antiquities, architecture, art, and artifacts. Cultural properties like antiquities and art are susceptible for forgery resulting in fake ones being sold to unsuspecting customers.  Without a law limiting cultural limitation, other cultural properties of Native American art like grave items, including human remains, may be looted and sold in violation of law. Other cultural properties like human Art may also be stolen from private collections or museums, like the case with the Egyptian artifacts that were stolen to Britain museums. Some of the Archaeological crimes committed due to the lack of laws governing cultural properties are theft and vandalism of archaeological sites or collections, and the trafficking of restricted archaeological remains. Some Common motives that drive them are a fascination with the past, the knowledge of the great value in artifacts coupled with the desire to sell them, and a desire to collect artifacts as souvenirs.  Some collectors do not get the moral, scientific significance of separating an artifact from its original setting, and historical and the story of the cultural properties they end up losing.  The fact is that, when a cultural object is separated from its origin then the larger meaning gets lost. The only aspects that make a cultural thing meaningful is its cultural and historical meaning.

Superficial cultural tourism during vacation makes people learn new cultures and erode their own culture too. Tourists visiting sensitive parts can be harmful, can also lead to culture loss or else cause culture preservation and increase of cultural sites. Besides, cultural tourism leads to economic importance, contributing to national income, social stability, employment and better services. Though the benefits seem to be overlapping the negatives, I would say that superficial cultural tourism should be perfected to avoid eroding culture.  Superficial cultural tourism erodes morals, promotes pop culture and contributes to culture diffusion, acculturation and culture appropriation and misappropriation. It is evident in the westernization effects in Africa. The mode of dressing, pleasure activities, style of speaking have been diffused and misappropriated in the dark continent. Therefore, even though tourism boosts a nation's economy much has to be done to safeguard culture which acts as a source of history, identity and pride to people. Again, the nation should put necessary restrictions on the tourists visiting their country in order that morals are upheld. When tourists uphold basic morals only culture appropriation will be instilled in the natives. Lastly, since cultural tourism is important it is wise to ensure balance between the benefits and the disadvantages and devise new ways to maintain the domestic culture. I would also suggest that laws should be made that will help domestic citizens maintain the home culture.

The bible quotes that the saints should not allow fashion, money and earthly treasures to separate them from the love of God but instead they should hold on to the truth. Fashion may imply footwear, lifestyle, clothing, style, accessories makeup and also hairstyle. Not all fashions are detrimental in society or the religious beliefs but other fashions that expose the inner body or capture the attention of the opposite gender should not be worn by religious celebrities in the name of ‘God knows my heart’ or fashion. Therefore, it would be irresponsible for religious celebrities to appropriate religious sentiments for the sake of a fashion that would take the glory of God like tight dresses, transparent ones or any other style that would make people concentrate on the celebrity instead of God.  However, that does not mean that religious celebrities should lag behind and look outdated. It means that even if a new fashion has come on board, religious celebrities should consider what and how God wants them to be. According to (Matika), religious celebrities especially ladies are adapted to the world to an extent of appropriating their religious culture on dressing and now walk half naked on the streets. He terms it as a cursed world, where the fear of God in fashion is gone. Finally, I think most Christians and the modern world adopted and acculturated the western culture forgetting the community and religious cultures and this is a form of irresponsibility.

In a nutshell, fathers should reconsider their roles in their families, flood away stereotypes concerning them and consider taking paternal leaves. Besides, the society should change the culture behind men and give them a room to live freely. The government should also make leaves a mandatory thing in order to force men take paternity leaves which will automatically reduce family violence due to the family bond that results from the leaves. Also, domestic culture should be maintained and culture diffusion, acculturation and misappropriation should be avoided at all cost. At the same time, countries should respect each other's culture as well as their cultural properties and Statues should be put in place limiting cultural property ownership in order to curb theft and forgery of cultural properties. For the authenticity of nations to be maintained then domestic culture should be safeguarded since culture creates a form identity and history.

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Therefore, they are viewed with the assumption of taking many sick leaves and emergency leaves more often than men. This perception started during the olden days where the history women states that women did the domestic roles, midwives, spinning clothes and house wives. These are perceptions of the 17th century in Africans community and the same cultural assumptions have become culturally misappropriated in both white and black communities though partially. From physical observation, these claims seem to be true since most women with children are working and the number is on the rise.  The question remains, are these only the cultural reasons that are behind women's frequency in taking leaves and men not ready to take leaves in the current society? My answer is NO, there are other many reasons in the current societies that make women want to take leaves and as if not enough extend them and men not ready to take leaves.  One is lack of empowerment and control among women, since most people work in stressful working environments where their freedom of speech and decision making is partially available, they tend to fake sickness and ask for leave and end up extending them as explained in  a recent Norway study. Most men are assumed to occupy top ranks in workplaces hence not susceptible to harsh working environment effects. Dr Samuel Harvey from the university of New South Wales supports my argument by saying that, ‘it seems that being confined in a high-stress environment and having no control leads to long-term absences.’ His claims support it that it’s the comfortability of men in working places that make them no to have the urge of seeking for job leaves. Mady Rutter, a psychologist of employee wellbeing in Validium also supports the claim by saying that,’ women occupy the less powerful positions in the workplace mostly have less control in their roles.’  According to Rutter, lack of control of roles in work places is a foundation of the many maternal leaves. As we all know, illnesses, both mental or physical, are more likely to associate with people with less control and power, we therefore expect women to be more prevalent to illnesses as they have less control and power. This one a culture which needs to be perfected since other women are in high positions in workplaces and do not take leaves.

Understanding the issue of both paternal and maternal leaves and why most men do not take job leaves, from different perspectives is very essential. The current culture from biblical beliefs and rearing beliefs adopted from parents has it that, the work of men is to provide, protect and provide their power as explained by (Degges-White). These are most reasons why men do not take leaves since they think when they provide for their families, prove their power by being the commanders in their families and protect their families by building good, secure houses is just enough role for them as fathers. Others think doing extra miles will be a lack of control and command for their families while others think helping in doing domestic work will attract intimidation from their peers. However, from an employer's angle or view point, men love works due to the company they get from colleagues while women like taking leaves to care for other people like children, elderly and also their husbands. However, since these women's roles are automatic employers should consider it as an equal priority.  Culture has it that men have the freest time and do not get too tired to consider leaves more often. The fact is in most homes, men would get out of work at the same time with women, men would shower and relax as women get into domestic chores like cooking, and washing. This would serve as another fact why men do not seek for leaves since they have more time to relax after work. The other fact I would argue on men’s presenteeism in work places with absolutely no leaves or minimal leaves, is that men do not incur menstrual periods that would interfere with their moods and feelings. Read More