United States is the only developed economy that does not offer some form of paid parental leave. Here are the affects.
While this infographic focuses primarily on the benefits of paid maternity leave, it reinforces what we’ve been saying here about the work-life challenge for parents. Even with parental leave, men are less likely to use it than women.
Joan C. Williams reported this in the Washington Post: “Men face as many struggles when it comes to using flexible work policies — if not more — because child care, fairly or unfairly, is still seen as being a feminine role.”
Though men are spending more hours helping out at home, they’re strongly discouraged from working any less. The recessionary hangover has compounded the headache. The pressure of this workplace ethos puts working men in a bind.
Would more men take parental leave if it were paid?
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Several comments on the referenced article argue that it is unfair for parents to get time off that non-parents don’t get. Yet there are societal benefit to parents being at home with their newborns—and that includes fathers.
Debra L. Ness, President of the National Partnership for Women and Families, added this note to the infographic above. “We also know that access to paid leave sharply increases the rate at which fathers take leave when a child is born, providing significant benefits for children and families. Studies show that when fathers take leave, they’re more likely to be involved in the long-term, direct care of their children.”
If you place value on family and the societal benefits of family, “Then tell your members of Congress it’s time for a family-friendly America here. To find out if you’re eligible for leave under the FMLA, or to get involved in efforts to expand the law and pass a national paid leave program, visit www.NationalPartnership.org/FMLA.”
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For more on the study and the resulting infographic, check out the post by Debra L. Ness, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
Not surprised 76% women would support a candidate for more paid leave from the employers, everyone likes free money that’s a no brainer.
Food for thought: This type of legislation sounds like it’s encouraging more single motherhood vs. personal responsibility. Currently in the US, 40% of births are out-of-wedlock. What’s the incentive to get married and have a family, now that she gets more leave from her employer vs welfare?
Is this disguised a ‘family’ friendly, but actually serving single mothers? This sounds like shady deal for men in the US.
I didn’t realise it was so bad in the US! I’m an English expat in Holland, and I was horrified when I found out I only got 2 days paternity leave. 1 day was for the birth, and the other was so that I could go to the town council and register my baby (so that she can be taxed as soon as she’s old enough to work). The official line is that fathers aren’t needed at home because the home carer is at home to look after the new born and the mother. The home carer is paid for… Read more »
Those that get paid parental leave are less likely to use welfare….is this comparing people in the same types of jobs? Or is it more that the jobs with paid parental leave are jobs which the person earns more and wouldn’t need the money anyway? Eg lowpaid jobs less likely to have paid parental leave?
I don’t know what the connection is, but a lot of these countries with parental leave are places with really low birthrates. Japan, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries have some of the lowest in the world. Ironically or not, these are are places where a declining percentage of the population are becoming parents and parents have fewer children. It’s more advantage for fewer and fewer people. I think in Japan’s case, the government has been trying to boost the birthrate by adopting such policies. I’m guessing if the U.S. birthrate continues to decline then we’ll see similar developments in the… Read more »