In recent years, Sweden has emerged as a frontrunner in redefining parental rights and challenging traditional gender roles in parenting.

Among the latest cultural phenomena to sweep the nation is the concept of 'latte dads' or 'latte pappas' - a term that has taken social media by storm, particularly on TikTok.

These fathers, enjoying their time on parental leave, can be spotted sipping lattes at cafés while bonding with their little ones, epitomising a modern approach to fatherhood.

According to insights shared by Babybjörn on TikTok, the latte dad trend is emblematic of Sweden's generous parental leave policies, where parents are entitled to a remarkable 480 days of paid parental leave for each child, which can be shared between parents.

Moreover, each parent has 90 days that cannot be transferred, ensuring that both mothers and fathers have dedicated time to nurture and bond with their newborns.

The cultural shift is not only confined to Sweden; it reflects a broader global conversation about parenting roles.

In South Africa, a newly passed High Court ruling allows parents to share four months of parental leave, granting flexibility for either parent to take the full period or alternate caregiving roles.

This initiative, coupled with eligibility for Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits, signifies progress in parental rights, enabling both parents to share the responsibilities that come with a new life.

A stark contrast emerges when one looks at parental leave policies elsewhere, like in the United States.

Here, working mothers average around 10 weeks off, a mix of paid and unpaid leave, with only about 27% of employees having access to paid family leave.

The majority rely on the 12 weeks of unpaid leave provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), an arrangement that leaves many new parents scrambling for support.

maternity leave

Café culture and caring: how latte dads are redefining modern fatherhood