Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Dan Rather) Report introduced.

(Silver Spring, MD: Charles Osgood) Scenes of new father Mark Sax changing son's diaper shown. Sax's employer granting paternity leave discussed. [SAX - says everyone should do this because your children are young only once.] [Sax's boss National Public Radio Rob GORDON - says it's disruptive to the office for his employee to be out for 10 weeks] Statistics shown of number of men taking paternity leave. [Catalyst research group Margaret MEIERS - says most companies do not approve of men taking paternity leave and men are afraid to ask for it.] Money problems regarding paternity leave discussed. [New father Steve THOMPSON - says he just cannot stay at home.] Congress bill addressing paternity leave issue discussed. Impracticality of paternity leave noted. [Small business lobbyist Mary TAVENNER - paternity leave is too expensive for business] Larry Lichey's situation featured. Wife and premature baby's needing his attention reported necessitating his taking time from job and he was fired. [LICHEY - describes firing.] Lichey family reported on welfare. Difficulties of caring for babies noted. [SAX - says has absolute respect for anyone who stays home with their children.] Scenes of fathers with babies shown; impact of bill discussed.