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Do please clarify for us, in the context of this discussion, please clarify the difference between seeking "equality" and seeking "a level playing field." <erm>
In the context of this discussion, 'equality' is an desired end-result, an aim, a goal if you like; and seeking a level playing field is a means to achieving that goal etc.
Well, maternity leave and paternity leave aren't usually allowed once children are more than a few months old, at most. And the original issue was scottycelt's contention that paternity leave should be as long as maternity leave for 'equality' to apply.
That, of course, presumes that 'a mother' and 'a father' are necessarily 'equal' in the first place (are apples and pears 'equal'?). The money is not made available simply to 'women' and 'men' but to mothers of newly born children and fathers of newly born children. And it does appear that the availability of the benefit can be varied somewhat depending on which parent remains at home and which returns to work.
So the example of 'equality' which scottycelt chooses is not as straightforward as, for example, should British parents of black African origin have the same parental leave as white parents, where clearly parents should be treated equally regardless of the colour of their skin.
I cannot see why this should be thought of in terms of 'right wing views' and 'left wing views' on the subject. (Getting slightly back to the political leanings, or otherwise, of the BBC - the 'AUNT' in question).
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
So the example of 'equality' which scottycelt chooses is not as straightforward as, for example, should British parents of black African origin have the same parental leave as white parents, where clearly parents should be treated equally regardless of the colour of their skin.
Eh? What on earth has a colour of a person's skin got to do with gender 'equality' and parental leave?!!
If 'equality' regarding parental leave is not straightforward ( i agree entirely with that!) why should it be any different regarding rates of pay?
A young woman can get pregnant and leave for a few months so she might be offered a lower salary to compensate the company in that not uncommon eventuality. If she does get pregnant she will be entitled to parental leave which is a superior offer to that of the father if he works in the same establishment.
That seems fair enough to me. The discrimination works both ways and is far more realistic and practical than a non-achievable, Alice-in-Wonderland 'equality'!
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