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Health · Public health · published 2026-10-10 · via TIME

Why Paternity Leave Matters for Child Development

Image via TIME
Image via TIME

Research indicates that when fathers are actively involved during a baby's first months, children tend to show stronger cognitive, social, and emotional development. The U.S. is one of the few wealthy countries without a federal guarantee of paid paternity leave. Studies cited in the piece connect father involvement to advantages such as improved language and math readiness, secure attachment, and fewer behavioral problems.

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Research reviewed by Ohio State’s Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan associates consistent father participation in infancy with stronger peer ties, higher intelligence scores, better readiness in math and language, and more secure attachment. These patterns appear by preschool and may persist into adulthood, though they are correlational.

Canadian scholar Daniel Paquette described fathers’ play as often exciting, surprising, and mildly disruptive, helping children practice taking risks, feeling capable, and advocating for themselves. Countries that set aside leave only fathers could use saw uptake rise: Iceland from 15% in 1998 to over

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Paternity Leave Is More Than a Perk. It Builds a Baby’s Brain.” Browse more stories.