[pjmlp]

In some countries that can happen to dads as well, because you can share the time with the kid afterwards.

The point is that not hiring women because they have kids, is stupid, as the same can happen to men as well. Except for the pregnancy time, of course.

[Tichy]

What happens is that women usually get to do the reduced time because they have a higher claim to their kids. It is not only the paternity leave, but also for example working part time later on. Dads don't get the option to do part time instead of their wives a lot. Of course it happens, but it is not the usual thing to expect.

[pjmlp]

It all depends on which country one speaks about.

Many European countries, have shared leaves between parents.

[Tichy]

As I said, it's not only the parental leave that is an issue. Often later on one parent decides to only work part time. Usually it is the mother.

[pjmlp]

I guess I may be biased, because on our office guys also do that, which makes me wrongly extrapolate the common situation.