Hotline - 089 80 99 027 00
The list of supporters is long - 35 actors from civil society and business are calling on the federal government in an open letter to finally implement and enshrine the Familienstartzeit in the Maternity Protection Act. The social enterprise famPLUS has also signed the letter and supports the initiative. Dr. Enni Vaahtoranta explains what this is all about in an interview. She is a psychologist and head of the parental counseling & childcare team at famPLUS.
Dr. Vaahtoranta, famPLUS supports the open letter. What exactly does it demand?
This letter was initiated by five associations and signed by another 30 actors. They are all committed to ensuring that the family start time is implemented by the federal government this year. This is not a new idea; in fact, the government has already included the family start time as legislative proposals in the coalition agreement. By doing so, it follows an EU directive for better compatibility, which has long been implemented in many EU countries. In Finland, fathers receive nine weeks of paid special leave after the birth, and in Spain, four weeks. A lot of waiting time has already passed; it is time for the federal government to implement the family start time.
What is Family Start Time about?
This is a two-week special leave for fathers and second parents after the birth of a child. Single parents can designate a trusted person.
What distinguishes family start time from parental leave?
The parental leave policy can be interpreted flexibly. Fathers and second parents can take parental leave immediately after the birth. But statistics show that many do not. This also has structural and financial reasons. The family start time is intended to be a paid leave - thus enabling families to start together and not just those who can afford it financially or professionally.
Why does famPLUS support the Open Letter and the initiative?
We support this letter because our goal as a company is to achieve a better balance between family and work. With my team, I advise many mothers and fathers on family and education. In doing so, we see how much pressure families are under, both financially and structurally. Starting a family is associated with hurdles and challenges because many couples today do not have any family nearby to support them in the first weeks with a baby. I also see it as a task for society to ensure that there are structures in place that make it possible to start a family.
The family start time specifically refers to the first two weeks. Why are they so important?
This postpartum period is an extremely sensitive phase. As a society, we are no longer aware of how much support families need during this time. On one hand, childbirth is physically and emotionally exhausting, and mothers need time to recover in the first days and weeks. On the other hand, the baby is there and has its own needs that change the usual rhythm. Families need time to adjust to each other. And of course, if there are siblings in the family, they need care and attention. The family start period would relieve mothers, as they wouldn't have to care for the newborn alone.
How would the start time for families affect the fathers?
She would strengthen the active role of fathers in the care and upbringing of children - right from the start. I see this as an opportunity. It is often said that fathers can't do anything in the first few weeks, especially when mothers are breastfeeding and this is initially the main focus. But that's a prejudice. Of course, fathers can do a lot, apart from breastfeeding. Spending a lot of time together in the first few weeks allows them to build a close bond. Studies from other countries show that this can also have a long-term positive effect.
What long-term effects can manifest?
Studies from Sweden, where fathers receive special leave after birth and make significantly more use of parental leave, show that the divorce rate is lower in families where the father has taken parental leave. Possible reasons are that men can empathize better with their partner and conflicts can be managed better. The initial family period lays a foundation for fathers to take a more active role in their fatherhood. Taking care of the baby from the beginning can also strengthen men's confidence as fathers. A study from Great Britain showed that fathers who took parental leave dedicated more time to their children even after the leave ended.
The topic of compatibility also plays a strong role in this, doesn't it?
In counseling, we repeatedly notice how difficult it is for families to balance work and family life. The childcare structures in Germany are inadequate, families are left to fend for themselves, and the division is still traditional. The initial family period provides an important impetus for a more equal sharing of employment and caregiving responsibilities. We at famPLUS support measures that make it easier to reconcile these aspects, and this initiative is part of that.
The mothers would benefit, the fathers too - and what about the children?
For the child, it only has advantages. It was long believed that a baby needs only one close caregiver. But now it is known that this is a myth. Babies can form a close bond with several people. It is beneficial for a child to have multiple close caregivers. And this also has a positive impact on children's development in the long term.
It might take some time before the family start time begins. What advice can you give to expectant mothers and fathers on the subject of compatibility?
This is a difficult topic, also because the care structures are currently so inadequate. Unfortunately, parents can currently only partially rely on childcare. I advise addressing who will take on which times as early as possible—ideally when planning for a child. It is more important than ever to build a network of helpers and supporters, independent of childcare, and perhaps connect with other parents. For the postpartum period, I recommend planning enough time as a family and that fathers or the other parent use parental leave or vacation for it. And one last tip: You shouldn't hesitate to seek and accept help. We humans are not designed to manage everything alone as a small family, and in challenging phases, we particularly need other people.
Interview: Peggy Elfmann
