Buttigieg hits back after parental leave criticism: 'Really strange'

[demmiblue]

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to criticism from conservatives he received for taking parental leave after adopting two newborns.

Buttigieg has received some criticism for staying on parental leave since August as the country is dealing with supply chain issues. Others took to attacking Buttigieg for taking parental leave altogether, mocking the idea.

"Pete Buttigieg has been on leave from his job since August after adopting a child. Paternity leave, they call it. Trying to figure out how to breastfeed, no word on how that went," Fox News’s Tucker Carlson said on his show.

Buttigieg said on MSNBC’s Deadline:White House that despite his parental leave, he has been available “24/7” for issues. He also took a shot at Carlson saying he doesn’t understand parental leave.

“Well, look, in his case, I guess he just doesn't understand the concept of bottle feeding, let alone the concept of paternity leave. But what is really strange is that, you know, this is from a side of the aisle that used to claim the mantle of being pro-family. What we have right now is an administration that's actually pro-family,” Buttigieg said.

“And I'm blessed to be able to experience that as an employee, being able to have the flexibility to take care of our newborn children, which is, by the way, work. It's a joyful work. It's wonderful work, but it's -- it's definitely work,” he added.

https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/577023-buttigieg-hits-back-after-parental-leave-criticism-really-strange

[elleng]

1. "it's definitely work!!!"

[tanyev]

2. I mean when you consider the only time you hear GOP politicians talk about spending more time

with their family is after they've been caught in a serious scandal....

[KPN]

8. +1

[hibbing]

11. Nice n/t

[demmiblue]

3. Video:

Link to tweet

[CozyMystery]

4. Also easier with more than one parent

I had triplets. It was a lot of work for one person (my husband was at work).

It is the same with full-term twins. Infants need care, and multiples wake each other up. Seems to me it's a lot healthier for the family to have both parents home, especially during infancy.

I am glad Buttigieg got paternity leave. It's way past time for paternity leave for all, fully paid, and for enough time to be allowed for it.

[Solly Mack]

5. Lets you know how uninvolved Carlson is with his own children.

To attack a father for spending time with his newborns lets us know just how detached Carlson is (and was) as a father.

[cilla4progress]

6. This will be unpopular but

I wish he would have waited a bit. Though I
clearly have no idea of his logistics.

Not a good look to the red side...just gives them more ammo.

All due respect though as he gentily, with his laidback - one might say conservative - manner, blows through prejudices.

[FreeState]

7. Waited for what?

The children come when they come - he could not stop that other than to not become a father.

[JI7]

9. How does this give them ammo other than to just appeal some more

to their bigoted base ?

Would waiting have made them less hateful ?

[Claustrum]

10. What is a good time frame for a new father to take off work?

Even though there is some homophobic in there (the jab with breastfeeding), they are mainly having issue with a father taking parental leave. So, what is a good time for a new father to take time off work? In their mind, never is the right answer. Waiting a few months after a newborn and they will say the new father doesn't need time off since the family should have adopted to the new changes in those few months. I don't see how waiting would help in this situation. Their problem is with a father "EVER" taking parental leave. Hell, they don't even want woman (who just gave birth) to take any parental leave if they could do it.

[cilla4progress]

12. No,

this is because Buttigieg is Sec of Transp at a critical time for our country.

[Claustrum]

13. I am addressing your concern of the right using his leave as ammo

Unless he never takes parental leave, the right would be criticizing him no matter when. Say he waited till now (2-3 months later), the right would still complain about his leave. I really don't see how waiting would help not giving them ammo.

[spooky3]

15. When you adopt a baby, AFAIK, you generally have to agree to take the baby(ies) when

available. You may have some advance notice but have to be flexible.

[ColinC]

14. Leadership is doing what is right in order to establish better norms

[Ziggysmom]

16. We are way behind European countries when it comes to paid time off work. 😢

In France the law went into effect July 1st that doubled the length of paternity leave to 28 days. Instead of mocking someone about caring for their family, shouldn't a conservative like mothertucker carlson be pro family?