Changing the Law for Maternity Leave

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Color of Justice

If I could make any law, what would it be and why?

When a law is passed, it can have a large effect on the citizens of that area. It has been said that the first year of a child’s life is the basic foundation of their entire life. In order to make that first year successful, money, time and of course love are critical. However because the current policies that exist in America, mothers are denied an easy balance between work, money, and time for their children. The current policies regarding maternity leave are extremely outdated and need to be reformed to accommodate mothers in this day and age. If I could create a law in America, it would be a law upgrading the Family and Medical Leave Act, requiring all employers to give their employees 16 weeks of paid maternity leave.

The current policy on maternity leave is that both men and women are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child, adoption a child, or the serious health condition of a child, spouse, or parent, and their own serious health condition. This was enacted by the Family and Medical Leave Act, passed in 1993. The intention of this act when it was being passed was to “balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families, promote economic security and preserve family integrity”. Congress wanted to have workers that are both well committed in their work force and in their homes.

Half of the U.S work force is eligible for the FMLA, and a Columbia graduate estimated that 20% of new mothers are eligible for the 12 weeks of unpaid leave. However, 33% of the workforce in America has absolutely no paid leave. Only 11% of workers in the private sector and 17% of workers in the public sector have paid paternal leave...

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...npaid leave.

Women should be given paid maternity leave in America, Only three other countries in the world do not provide paid leave: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea. Countries with paid leave have increased breastfeeding rates, child health outcomes, greater paternal involvement to a child’s life, and lower child poverty rates. Saudi Arabia has paid leave when women aren’t even allowed to drive. In Afghanistan, some women risk death to get an education, but they are provided 13 weeks of paid leave.

Paid Maternity leave in America is crucial to mothers. The current policy of 12 weeks of unpaid leave is not adequate enough for mothers. If I could make a new law, it would be to require at least 16 weeks of paid leave for mothers and fathers. From this law, families would actually be able to balance work, children, financial and house responsibilities.

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