In spite of being among the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States doesn’t spend a red cent on family leave. There is NO national Paid Family Leave Plan for American families. This means working mothers and fathers do not receive any financial support to take off work to care for their newborns. Individual mothers and fathers shoulder 100% of the cost of caring for a newborn.
I was shocked to learn that every other country in the world provides Paid Family Leave for it’s new families except for the U.S., Suriname, and New Guinea. This shameful, low priority our country places on new families has tragic consequences to human well-being. Studies show the absence of paid family leave increases infant mortality rates decrease rates of breastfeeding, decreases numbers of babies to attend well-baby exams and receive vaccines, increases maternal anxiety, increases postpartum depression, and maternal suicide.
What about the Family Medical Leave Act?
The stingy Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), enacted in 1993, entitles “eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance overage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave”. While FMLA prevents parents from being fired for taking time off to care for a newborn, it does not dictate any income for mothers or fathers during that time.
Eight States Do Mandate Paid Maternity Leave
Eight states are the exception and give working parents some assistance when they take time off from work to have a baby. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, and Washington, DC all mandate paid family leave for certain employees. Ideally, this state-mandated leave would extend to all parents, but it does not. Parents must be employed by eligible employers and qualify under the state-specific requirements.
For example, California workers may be eligible for 60-70% of their income up to 4 weeks before delivery and up to 8 weeks after delivery (only 6 weeks for a vaginal birth and 8 weeks for a cesarean). The maximum benefit is $1,357/week. Workers must be employed or actively looking for work at the time when the family leave begins (as early as 36 weeks of pregnancy) and have recently earned at least $300 from which State Disability Insurance (SDI) deductions were withheld. There are no free rides here either.
The Cost of Having Babies
The absence of paid family leave transfers the entire expense of having a baby to the parents. The first year of life costs American families approximately $11,000 which varies dramatically by city and state. High costs of living and limited leave options force new mothers in the United States to return to work quickly. Approximately one-third of women in the United States return to work within three months and 23% even go back to work within 2 weeks of childbirth.
Why Is Paid Family Leave So Important?s
Many new mothers in the U.S. have no other option than to return to work as quickly as possible to resume earning a paycheck.
Studies show the benefits of paid family leave to be:
- Economic stability for parents
- Decreased maternal stress during the pregnancy and postpartum periods, leading to
better birth outcomes - Increased regularity of well-baby visits
- Higher immunization rates
- Higher likelihood and duration of breastfeeding
- Increased likelihood of a positive childhood experience that lasts long into adulthood.
It only makes sense to support women and families as thoroughly as possible to ensure a successful and enjoyable transition into motherhood. The tremendous value placed on the role of parenthood has yet to be matched by the leave options available to Americans. And this needs to change.
The Cost of Not Having Babies
Our survival as a society is dependent on procreation. Without populating the next generation, who will grow up to fill our workforce, protect our shores and support our tax base? Our paid family leave policies are incredibly shortsighted considering the stakes. On a national scale it is imperative that people continue to decide to procreate and have children.
Working toward a Better Future
Time away from work in the postpartum period is no vacation. It is full of ups and downs, learning curves, bumps, and boundless love. The U.S. is severely lacking when it comes tomeeting the needs of our birthing population. Not all hope is lost though! As Americans continue to put pressure on the legislative bodies of our country, progress will be made.
workfamilyca.org
aclusocal.org
In the meantime, please review your specific state’s offerings for paid and unpaid leave options.
edd.ca.gov
As your go-to midwife in the San Diego area, I consistently hear about the struggles of family leave policies. I am fortunate to be able to offer no-stress, in-home postpartum care for the first 3 visits after your baby is born.
Are you interested in what BrookeRayMidwife offers for homebirth services? She is an experienced midwife looking forward to discussing your options with you. Call today at 619-722-9110.
