Paid Universal Maternity Leave Is Strangely Absent

On the subject paid universal maternity leave, we’re left with a question: Why is it that the United States is one of the only nations that does not take care of their Mothers? Mother’s Day may have been yesterday but this question should be considered until some real changes are made.

How about getting some real use of Mother’s Day? This is a day we commercialized as the beautiful day of love and appreciation for Mother’s the country over. Last Week Tonight’s host, comedian John Oliver astutely pointed out,“In America, there is nothing we wouldn’t do for moms—apart from one major thing.” Paid universal maternity leave.

Paid Universal Maternity Leave Is Strangely Absent - Clapway

When traveling outside of the U.S., talking about the strange absence of universal maternity leave might seem downright cruel when a lot of other nations have generous (read: humane) allowances of both maternity AND paternity leave. The U.S. is one of three countries that does not guarantee a paid universal maternity leave, a UN report says. The U.S. is the only developed country of those three. What we do have is 12 weeks of unpaid leave by federal law…

It is really distressing how a natural event in a women’s life is cause for career distress, a career disruption, and the equally likely option–a career halt. In popular media, movies like Knocked Up feature this theme. In Knocked Up, its main character is a successful journalistic woman who hides her pregnancy as long as possible until it’s noticeable. Perhaps because of this lacking in the U.S. parental policy, Canada’s workforce employs a lot more women than the U.S. does. Canada has 17 weeks of paid universal maternal leave plus 35 additional weeks for either the father or the mother, termed, “paternal leave”.

With the build-up of the 2016 elections, platforms for the paid universal maternity leave discussions are more than convenient. The Obama administration voiced support via an initiative started to promote paid parental leave reformation. Republican parties have been opposed or unavailable for comment. The issue issue surrounding parental leave could have a very large sway in winning the female votes this upcoming election.

To anyone who gifted their mom’s a lackluster sort of present yesterday. Consider that this might be a pretty swell belated Mother’s Day present. If you’re someone who can make things happen, even better.