Paternity (as opposed to just maternity leave) is for me the solution to many problems. Here in Sweden this already exists (18 months to be shared between parents as chosen, with some extra for the person actually physically giving birth for time spent in hospital during pregnancy). There is even some debate about having to use 9 of the months for each parent.

Possibly a necessary means to end (if you believe in this kind of logic) but hopefully not an end in and of itself.

(Already got enough minus points for pointing out gender issues and advocating free education so may as well dig myself even deeper :) )