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5th December 2000
Parental Leave is a Lifestyle Subsidy say
Kidding Aside
Kidding Aside (The British Childfree Association)
criticised the suggestion the Government proposal for two weeks paternity leave
for men whose partners are giving birth said to be contained in the Queen's
Speech tomorrow. Jonathan McCalmont, Chair of Kidding Aside commented:
"Yet again we see this Government giving
advantages to people who choose to have children at the expense of everyone
else".
"Having children is a lifestyle choice and
is certainly not the only domestic reason for needing time off work."
Sheila Cunliffe, a Personnel Director for a
national charity, said:
"In the course of my work I see many
people who are struggling with the day to day demands of their domestic lives,
this can be because they are caring for an elderly or sick relative, they have a
housing crisis, they are dealing with the impact of a recent bereavement, or one
of many other reasons."
"If the Government believes that flexible
working practices improve the productivity of people in the workplace then why
are they not introducing an entitlement to emergency leave for everyone rather
than making a special case for those who choose to have children?"
Kidding Aside questions why the Government is
subsidising the lifestyle choice of those who decide to have children at a time
when the world is already overpopulated.
"By the Government giving financial and
statutory benefits to people solely because they have children they are
perpetuating the myth that, in an overpopulated world, choosing to have children
is a necessity rather than a lifestyle choice. "
"Acceptance that having children is a
lifestyle choice is not easy but we also know that for the future of our planet,
our society in general and our public sector spending priorities, it is
essential." Said Jonathan McCalmont.
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