Sara McGinnis
posted in CelebritiesPiers Morgan is letting his thoughts on paternity leave be well known. Appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe the British television host and father of four held nothing back.
"Most dads don't want to do paid paternity leave," the 50-year-old television personality began before adding, "They pretend they do, but after two weeks of a tiny little baby ... all they're doing is eating, guzzling and depositing, it isn't the most exciting gig in town."
In reaction to the statements co-host Mika Brzezinski left the set, but the conversation didn't end there.
Taking to Twitter after the show Piers wrote, "I don't think @morningmika liked me saying most men don't actually want extended paternity leave. But it's true... we don't."
He added: "I suspect all these Paternity-leave-loving Dads have not actually become a Dad yet. Come back to me when you have."
Piers Morgan didn't stop there either. More from him on the subject of paternity leave:
Most mothers I know can't wait to see their men back to work. We get in the way and are invariably utterly useless in the baby department.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 7, 2015
None of my 4 children has ever said: 'Dad, I so wish you'd spent more time with me as a three week old baby.'
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 7, 2015
Need I point out a whole host of parents, including many dads, are angered by his words? The Huffington Post quotes blogger John Kinnear as tweeting, "Hey Piers, 1955 called. It wants its opinion back," and another added, "Every mother I know says the opposite. Perhaps it isn't men that are the problem; perhaps it's just you."
Before I jump on the bandwagon I'm going to take a moment and pause to consider if he has any valid points. Although I don't personally know any dads who would opt out of paid paternity leave, he may have some ground to stand on in pointing out newborns aren't the easiest to bond with. Plus, if family is coming to visit the new baby and will be around to help out it may be more beneficial for the father to take time off from work later on.
That being said, I can't get on board with his claims men are just pretending to want to spend time with their babies. Seems a shame Piers isn't a bigger fan of using "I" statements rather than trying to speak for his entire sex, because what I'm hearing him actually say is 'I didn't want to take paternity leave and therefore I assume no other fathers do either.'
What do you make of Piers Morgan's paternity leave comments?
Photos: PR Photos
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