According to the social benefits agency Kela, the reform granting each parent 160 days of paid parental leave has resulted in fathers taking an average of 78 days, nearly double the pre-reform rate of 44 days in 2021.
Kela's lead specialist, Johanna Aholainen, stated that the new rules are designed to promote equality by distributing parental leave more evenly between parents, reflecting a shift in societal values towards shared responsibility.
Fathers are now more engaged with child-rearing responsibilities, as observed in public spaces like Helsinki's Oodi central library, emphasizing the positive societal trend of increased male participation in parenting.
Fathers who have taken advantage of the new parental leave system, like Leo Vainio, feel that it enhances equality, stating that the ability for both parents to share leave makes a significant positive impact.
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