US News
Fathers' share of California paid bonding leave claims climbs to 51%
NPR reports that men filed 51% of California's paid bonding leave claims in 2025, up from 18% in 2004.
The short version
- More fathers are opting into paid family leave to bond with new children in many states with programs.[NPR]
- In California, men made up 51% of bonding claims filed in 2025, up from about 18% when the program began in 2004.[NPR]
- There is no federal paid parental leave law; California is one of 14 states plus Washington, D.C., with such legislation.[NPR]
- A 2025 survey found 7 in 10 Americans said raising children had become unaffordable, according to the survey.[NPR]
Key facts
- In California, men accounted for 51% of bonding claims filed in 2025.[NPR]
- When California's paid family leave program started in 2004, men made up about 18% of claim applications.[NPR]
- There is no federal law guaranteeing paid parental leave, but California is one of 14 states plus Washington, D.C., that have passed legislation to enact paid family leave programs.[NPR]
- According to a 2025 survey, 7 in 10 Americans said raising children had become unaffordable.[NPR]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.