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Finnish dads are showing the world a new way of parenting and others could learn a lot from them

In Finland, dads are with kids more than moms owing to family-first policies, paid leave, and a culture of shared parenting.

BY ABHA ANINDITA

PUBLISHED 6 HOURS AGO

Image of a dad playing with his children. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Thanasis Zovoilis)

In most parts of the world, moms are the default parents, the ones managing school runs, wiping noses, and juggling everything else. Parenting is still seen through a familiar lens, with mothers as the primary caregivers and fathers as the backup crew. They’re the steady hands holding the family routine together. But in one country, that familiar script is not so familiar.

A dad and his child play together. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | @MoMo Productions) — A dad and his child play together. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | MoMo Productions)

This is in Finland, where the fathers are beyond helpful hands; they’re equal partners. "It is the only developed country where fathers spend more time with their school-aged kids than mothers do, according to a recent OECD report. It’s a story of collective action and political will, of a strong tradition of social democracy and an accommodating tax system. But it also boils down to a key difference in how Finland frames the conversation, it’s not about what’s good for adults, it’s about what’s good for children," as reported by The Guardian.

A dad with his daughter. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Stanislaw Pytel)

Finland is the only developed nation where fathers of school-aged children spend more time with their kids than mothers do. On average, they clock in eight more minutes a day, a seemingly small margin, but one that reflects a broader cultural shift. “It’s not about mothers’ rights or fathers’ rights, it’s about a child’s right to time with both,” says Annika Saarikko, Finland’s Minister of Family Affairs, in an interview with The Guardian. And that ethos runs deep, through policies, parenting norms, and even national campaigns.

A happy family against an autumn background. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | morrowlight)

From the earliest stages of parenthood, Finland invests in families. Expectant mothers receive four months of paid maternity leave, and a famous 'baby box' stocked with essentials, from onesies to thermometers. But to receive it, mothers must begin prenatal care before the fourth month, an early push that contributes to Finland’s exceptionally low infant mortality rate. Dads, too, are encouraged to take the reins. They get nine weeks of paid paternity leave and can share an additional five months of parental leave with their partner. Public campaigns like “It’s Daddy Time” are active nudges toward cultural change.

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“We believe in investing in the early years,” Saarikko added. “And the father’s bond with the child is just as vital.” That commitment extends beyond the crib. Finnish mothers often return to full-time work, supported by a robust childcare system that’s both affordable and high in quality. Early education focuses on play rather than pressure, yet Finnish students consistently rank among the top globally in reading, science, and math. The workday is designed with families in mind. Most people clock out by 4 or 5 p.m., allowing for quality time at home. Here, shared parenting is the norm.

A dad with his daughter enjoying tea. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Borisenkov Andrei)

There are still gaps. Mothers of preschoolers still spend over an hour more per day with their children than fathers. And as Saarikko concedes, full gender equality remains a work in progress. Still, Finland offers a compelling glimpse of what co-parenting can look like when society, policy, and culture align. Not a world where dads are applauded for pitching in, but one where they’re expected to, and do, belong fully in the lives of their children.