Paternity Leave Is For Losers, Said Venture Capitalist. Alexis Ohanian's Sharp Rejoinder
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"Any man in an important position who takes 6 months of leave for a newborn is a loser," wrote Joe Lonsdale, founder of Palantir Technologies
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, the husband of tennis star Serena Williams, has joined the raging debate around paternity leave by saying that no one should have to choose between keeping their job and taking care of their newborn babies. Mr Ohanian's sharply-worded tweet came in response to a venture capitalist who suggested that any man taking six months of paternity leave is a "loser". Wow. Great for fathers to spend time w their kids and support moms, but any man in an important position who takes 6 months of leave for a newborn is a loser.In the old days men had babies and worked harder to provide for their future - that's the correct masculine response. The correct masculine response is to do whatever it takes for your family + newborn. No one should have to choose between the ICU/NICU and keeping their job.https://t.co/2KOppurLxF Cool. I should not have written “loser” and appreciate the pushback.In more intense operational contexts, losing key leaders cold turkey for six months seems unnecessary but I respect your different take here.
Joe Lonsdale, founder of Palantir Technologies Inc and a prolific venture capitalist, started a debate on Twitter when he replied to a tweet criticising US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg for taking time off after the birth of his twins. Mr Lonsdale was responding to a tweet about podcast personality Joe Rogan slamming Pete Buttigieg for taking paternity leave.
"Wow. Great for fathers to spend time with their kids and support moms, but any man in an important position who takes 6 months of leave for a newborn is a loser," wrote Mr Lonsdale. "In the old days men had babies and worked harder to provide for their future - that's the correct masculine response," he added.
