In a heartfelt essay for The New York Times, Alexis Ohanian voices his frustration with the term “babysitting” when referring to fathers spending time with their children, emphasizing the importance of paternity leave. Although he initially didn’t consider paternity leave significant, his 16-week break after becoming a father to his daughter, Alexis Olympia, alongside his wife Serena Williams, proved to be invaluable for building a strong foundation and boosting his confidence as a parent.

Ohanian highlights the challenges faced by fathers in taking paternity leave due to cultural stigmas and workplace pressures. He stresses the importance of paid family leave for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, and acknowledges the privilege he and Williams have in being able to prioritize family without worrying about job security.

Despite the lack of widespread access to paid paternity leave in the United States, Ohanian believes it’s essential for fathers to take time off to bond with their children and share parental responsibilities. He credits his own paternity leave for giving him the confidence to navigate fatherhood and for fostering a more equitable division of caregiving duties between him and Williams.

Ohanian calls for a shift in cultural attitudes towards fatherhood and advocates for legislative changes to ensure paid family leave for all caregivers. Until then, he encourages fathers to advocate for themselves in the workplace and prioritize family alongside their professional responsibilities.