This paper examines current patterns and trends in the availability and use of parental leave by U.S. fathers. Introductory material focuses on legal and administrative contexts of parental leave and parental leave policies available to employed mothers. The main discussion uses U.S. and Swedish data to explore (1) long-term paid leave at the time of birth; (2) short-term paid leave at the time of birth; (3) unpaid leave at the time of birth; and (4) other types of leave. The available data indicate that long-term paid birth leave is rarely available to U.S. fathers, and rarely used when available. Short-term paid leave is available to fathers, primarily through use of sick days, in at least a quarter of large firms; no data exist concerning what proportion of fathers use it. Long-term unpaid leave is available to fathers in about one-third of large firms, and frequently in public employment; fathers' use of it is low. No formal data indicate the prevalence or use of paternal leave for fathers of older children. Concluding remarks concern the effects of paternal leave, about which formal research tells little, and future prospects for the implementation of parental leave programs for fathers by employers and employed fathers' use of parental leave. (RH)