We hear a lot today about early childhood services in Sweden. But Sweden is also a world leader in another area affecting young children and their families: parental leave. At a time when how to care for very young children is at the top of the discussion agenda, it is worth paying attention to how this Nordic society handles the matter.
There is a distinct difference between parental leave and maternity leave.
Maternity leave, as its name suggests, is for women only; it is a health and welfare measure before and after birth to protect the health of the mother and newborn child. Parental leave, by contrast, must be equally available to both parents; it is a social measure to enable parents to spend more time with their young children.
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