Image: anushkasharma/Instagram
The responsibility of parenting has always been on the mother. Back in the day, men used to forage for food while women stayed back at home to take care of the family. This was how society worked before because of the roles men and women played. Naturally, women were around to care for their kids more than the men because they were out working to provide for the family. But things are very different now. Women pursue careers and provide for their families just like men do, and household chores and child responsibilities are equally important for both men and women. So much so that companies offer paternity leave to fathers after the delivery of their baby. It usually is for 15 days, but every company has its set of regulations for the same.
Granted that women have longer maternity leaves because they need time to recover from the nine months of pregnancy and delivery. However, paternity leaves are a great initiative that shows society’s progressiveness. Several companies, including private firms, have started granting paternity leaves, and we are thrilled.
Image: anushkasharma/Instagram
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma announced the news of their pregnancy on August 27th, 2020. It was a pleasant surprise for everyone, including their fans and the media. There was a lot of excitement in the air for the couple’s journey into a new phase of life. A few months later, Virat Kohli, captain of the Indian Cricket team, applied for paternity leave. The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) granted his leave and said that he would return home after the first Test series against Australia for his child’s birth.
Virat faced some backlash from netizens, but there were a lot of people who rendered support. Some people said that it’s his national duty to play the game, while others criticized him for not playing cricket above all else in his life. But several people expressed their support for him and had his back. They said that it’s his personal choice and others don’t have any business to interfere with what he chooses.
In an interview with a popular news agency, Kohli himself said that he wants to be home in time to be with his wife for his child’s birth. He put his family first, and we see nothing wrong with that.
Image: anushkasharma/Instagram
The Indian skipper’s decision to take paternity leave has shown us how much society has progressed. The support he received on the internet was amazing, which only goes to show that people have started viewing parenting as a combined responsibility rather than holding only the woman accountable.
A father is equally responsible for raising a child. Right from diaper duties to night shifts, both parents have to contribute to taking care of the baby. The values and morals that a child learns should be the result of a combined parenting system where both parents are equally responsible. Virat’s paternity leave is one step in the right direction, and we couldn’t be more glad. We hope other men follow suit and embrace fatherhood head-on.
As the father-to-be, he has set an example to his fans and other fellow dads that the role of parenting is equally important for men. In an interview with a popular news agency, Virat adds that it is a very special and beautiful moment that he wants to experience. It’s charming to see that he places his family above all else. It seems like Anushka will have all the support she will ever need with a husband like Virat.
We are certain that Virat will make an incredible father while embracing the many roles of fatherhood with excitement and open arms. We cannot wait to see baby Virushka and wish them the best of everything life has to offer.
Do you believe that parenting is a joint venture? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
