"A gente tem esse direito": a licença paternidade brasileira na perspectiva dos pais

Abstract

This study aims to comprehend, through a qualitative approach, the fathers’ perception about the currently established paternity leave period in Brazil. To accomplish this, eleven fathers, from several locations in the country, with ages ranging from 28 to 52 years old, were interviewed about their perceptions on the current paternity leave period in Brazil. The methodology consisted in semi-structured interviews, donevia recorded video calls as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. From their answers, the aim is to analyze aspects such as the construction of their masculinities, the impacts of these in the constitution of their paternities, as well as the impact of a patriarchal social structure on their subjectivities. Beyond that, a brief history on the constitution of maternity and paternity leave in the country is discussed, examining the role that the State has assigned to fathers. The conclusion is that, despite a growing movement of fathers committed to a more active and responsible paternity, there are still cultural, religious and political barriers in place that obstruct the implementation of more effective public policies in search for gender equality, especially in regards to the family environment.