The United States of America has one of the worst maternity leave views for a developed country. As a matter of fact, a 2004 Harvard University study has found that out of 168 developed countries, 163 has some sort of paid maternity leave program in place. The United States, is not one of them. The only other highly developed country that does not have a paid maternity leave program in place is Australia, however Australians DO enjoy a 12 month job guarantee. A new mother down under can take up to a year off from work, unpaid, and still be able to return to her position as opposed to the United States' implemented 12 week guarantee. In addition, the United States' 12 week maternity leave work guarantee isn't even available to all citizens, only to those who work for larger companies with a higher number of employees.
Basically, if you get pregnant within the United States, there's no guarantee you'll have a job that will help you to take care of the awesome responsibility of providing for your children.
This country's government has shot down several proposals (including one by the Clinton Administration) at introducing some sort of paid maternity leave for working mothers. Opposition from employers (who already pay out over $21 Million per year in expenses incurred from FMLA) has put the kybosh on these projected programs.
Some will blame the the government and big business for this country's lack of providing for working mothers, others will say that the Feminist movement is to blame. After all, with the advent of Women's Liberation, no one even wanted to speak about child bearing. Women wanted it all, equal rights across the board. Well, they got it and, now, a few generations later, the working women of this country are paying for it.
Studies show that the first year of a child's life is, by far, the most important. A mother, being able to financially afford staying home for that first year, would lay a solid foundation for the child to build upon in the coming years.
Basically, if you get pregnant within the United States, there's no guarantee you'll have a job that will help you to take care of the awesome responsibility of providing for your children.
This country's government has shot down several proposals (including one by the Clinton Administration) at introducing some sort of paid maternity leave for working mothers. Opposition from employers (who already pay out over $21 Million per year in expenses incurred from FMLA) has put the kybosh on these projected programs.
Some will blame the the government and big business for this country's lack of providing for working mothers, others will say that the Feminist movement is to blame. After all, with the advent of Women's Liberation, no one even wanted to speak about child bearing. Women wanted it all, equal rights across the board. Well, they got it and, now, a few generations later, the working women of this country are paying for it.
Studies show that the first year of a child's life is, by far, the most important. A mother, being able to financially afford staying home for that first year, would lay a solid foundation for the child to build upon in the coming years.
Comments
Ericka
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/01/2009
Thanks for the great article. I was wondering what organizations were working on policy advocacy related to this issue. Another comment mentioned www.momsrising.org. If others know about other organizations, please share. We definetely need to change this situation in the U.S. In Brazil, we have 6 months of Maternity Leave and we are not considered "disable".
Max
(Guest)
(Guest)
03/17/2009
this is all true and accurate, except for your claim that feminism is partly to blame for this issue. One of the most prominent feminist arguments is that paid maternity leave needs to occur in the US, read up on feminism more. Equal rights doesn't mean lack of maternity leave and childcare opportunities.
Ken, what a wonderful organization!! Thank you so much for posting that website :)
Ken
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/06/2007
What can we do about it? There's an organisation called Moms Rising which is actively campaigning at State and Federal level to improve maternity, paternity and flexible working (www.momsrising.org). Their site is a wealth of information. They include interviews with people who campaigned succesfully for introduction of paid maternity leave in California...they say the response across all political parties was positive and it happened.
For a country that talks "family values" there seems to be little real value put on families when it comes to the issue of maternity rights.
Yes, the USA is ridiculously behind the times. In some countries, even fathers get leave! How wonderful would that be?!! Ahhhh!!! So what can we do about it?!
Nice article! I know I wish I had a lot more time at home before returning to work. My grandmother told me that she was able to take an entire year off when she had her babies way back when.
I had no idea that other countries had such wonderful maternity leave programs in place until we moved abroad. Nicely written piece.
The US is VERY sadly behind the times when it comes to maternity leave. And no politicians care at all. Good report.
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