U-turn on parental allowance: Prien holds fathers accountable

When it comes to parental allowance, Karin Prien takes a new approach. According to a draft from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs last week, this is to be increased - for the first time since it was introduced in 2007. At the same time, the duration of parental allowance should now remain at 14 months. By changing the distribution, the family minister is also making fathers responsible - and could thus trigger real social change.

The new draft envisages the 4-6-4 model: each parent receives four months at 80 percent of the net wage, the remaining six months can be freely divided with a wage replacement rate of 50 percent. In order to receive full benefit, both parents will have to take four months of parental leave instead of two months.

This should particularly suit fathers - studies have shown for years that they want to be more involved in childcare. These words, which in the past were rarely followed by actions, are now backed up with solid financial arguments: Anyone who forgoes parental leave has significantly more to lose in the future.

When it comes to equality, Prien is taking risks. Now it must ensure that this venture does not come at the expense of low-income families. The lower wage replacement of 50 percent over six months means real losses for poor families, family associations are already warning. A petition has already collected more than 200,000 signatures in just a few days.

The argument from critics that fathers have so far often only taken two months of parental leave and that this will not change in the future should not be accepted out of hand. Prien has set incentives for fathers to care for their babies for twice as long as before. Now they can show how serious they are about it.