| Summary: | 碩士 === 逢甲大學 === 公共政策所 === 100 === This study investigates the government’s parental leave policy with the aim of establishing a decision-making process for couples applying for parental leave without pay and enumerating the factors that affect their application for parental leave as well as their views toward this policy.The researcher adopts a qualitative research methodology. Using the snowball sampling technique, seven couples working either in the private or the public sector were selected and interviewed. All of the participants have applied for parental leave without pay and parental leave allowances at least once since 2009. The statistics collected were then analyzed.
Based on the data analysis, the findings of this study were summarized as follows. The decision-making process of applying for parental leave without pay between couples can be divided into four periods: the preparation period, the decision-making period, the adaptation period, and the feedback period. During the preparation period, the problems show up and should be faced, and then to look for information to help the decision. During the decision-making period, there are four important factors that affect the decision: want to raise the baby alone, can’t find the suitable babysitter, the senior can’t help bring up the baby and have difficulty in job. The family decision-making of the interviewee can be divided into four types: the husband superiority, wife superiority, husband-wife equality, and leading light. During the adaptation period, the applicant has to face the mental adjustment and the change of the life. During the feedback period, there are five bright sides: improve the relationship between parents and children, make the interaction between husband and wife better, become healthier, use the time freely, and have high evaluation in allowance. There are five points which can be expected: to extend the period of the parental leave, to raise the parental leave benefit and duration, to simplify the application procedures and integrate information , to improve the care system and measures, to ensure the right when the parents go back to work.
Based on the findings of the research, the following nine measures are suggested: further publicize the policy; simplify the application procedure and provide assistance during the process; increase allowances and lengthen the period during which they are issued; improve childcare systems and related measures; allow employers to also apply on behalf of their employees; institute parental leave specifically for fathers; establish a system that encourages public servants to apply; help small and medium businesses allocate human resources; and revise relevant laws and regulations so that parents can take parental leave with greater peace of mind.
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