Swedes take a new step in parental leave. Grandparents can now get paid to take care of grandkids

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Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. step in / stɛp ɪn / (phrasal v.) – to become involved in a situation, especially to help
    Example:

    When the basketball coach got sick, another coach had to step in to lead the practice.


  2. parliament / ˈpɑr lə mənt / (n.) – a group of people who make the laws in some countries
    Example:

    The British parliament voted on a new law to help protect the environment.


  3. administer / ædˈmɪn ə stər / (v.) – to manage or control something, such as an organization, a task, or a project
    Example:

    The manager administers the company’s policies and ensures they are followed.


  4. from cradle to grave / frʌm ˈkreɪd l tu greyv / (idiom) – throughout someone's entire life
    Example:

    Government policies are designed to provide healthcare from cradle to grave, ensuring no one is left without support.


  5. entitle / / ɛnˈtaɪt l / (v.) – to give someone the right to do or have something, usually because of a rule or law
    Example:

    As a full-time employee, you are entitled to receive paid vacation days every year.


Article

Read the text below.

Sweden launched a groundbreaking new law on July 1 that allows grandparents to step in and get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren for up to three months of a child’s first year.


The development comes after the Swedish parliament, the 349-seat Riksdag, approved last December the government’s proposal on the transfer of parental allowance. This comes 50 years after the Scandinavian country became the first in the world to introduce paid parental leave for fathers and not just mothers.


Under the law, parents can transfer some of their generous parental leave allowance to the child’s grandparents. A parent couple can transfer a maximum of 45 days to others while a single parent can transfer 90 days, according to the Social Insurance Agency, a government agency that administers the social insurance system.


This Scandinavian country of 10 million, known for its taxpayer-funded social welfare system, has over generations built a society where citizens are taken care of from cradle to grave.


In Sweden, you are entitled to be fully off work when your child is born. Parental benefit is paid out for 480 days, or about 16 months, per child. Of those, the compensation for 390 days is calculated based on a person’s full income, while for the remaining 90 days, people get a fixed amount of 180 kronor ($17) per day.


Alexandra Wallin of Sweden’s Social Insurance Agency told Swedish broadcaster SVT the new law will “give greater opportunities.” Still, the rules for grandparents, she said, are the same as for ordinary parental allowance and require a person to be insured for parental allowance, which most people in Sweden are.


There are conditions for parental allowance—a retiree can also take parental leave, for example, in which case the compensation is based on the person’s pension. A person may not look for work or study during the time they receive parental allowance.


In the central town of Avesta, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of Stockholm, Ritva Kärkkäinen told SVT she is considering taking time off work to care for her grandchildren.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Do you think grandparents should receive payment for taking care of their grandchildren? Why or why not? In your opinion, is it also reasonable for them to receive parental leave benefits? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • In your culture, is it common for grandparents to take care of grandchildren? If you were to get paid for taking care of your grandchildren, would you do it? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • How do you think paying grandparents for childcare benefits families (ex. it secures parents that their kids are safe, it fosters the relationship between children and their grandparents)? Do you think having grandparents take care of children is better than paying for other childcare services? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, how could taking care of grandchildren affect the well-being of grandparents? Meanwhile, how do you think a strong bond with grandparents can benefit a child’s development? Discuss.