“China, not exactly seen as a model when it comes to human rights, provides 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. The US provides zero,” the American politician, and Senator of Vermont, Bernie Sanders once stated. It is apparent that United States lacks the basic principal of paid maternity leave, and in fact it is the only developed country to not offer it. The United States has constantly debated whether or not paid maternity leave should be given, and even with many women entering the workforce, paid maternity is still not required by law. Paid maternity leave contributes to the growth of the economy, benefits women's health, and provides a system of economic stability for new parents. Because of this, the US should ensure all women the right
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A recent study conducted at Harvard found that women in European countries, with guaranteed paid maternity, were 16.2% less likely to suffer from depression, than countries such as the US, where paid maternity leave is not given (link). Marge Dwyer, of the School of Public Health Communications, explains why this may be: “A period of leave shortly after birth may improve mother-child relationships, which may in turn improve maternal well-being in older age.” (link). When paid maternity leave is given, women are more likely to take off time from work than women without paid maternity leave. In fact, a study conducted in 2008 found that nearly one third of all working American mothers did not go on maternity leave at all (Women’s). This proves that many new mothers in the United States are not able to go on maternity leave because they can not afford to. This furthers the reason to why paid maternity leave should be given. Not only does paid maternity leave affect women mentally, but it can also contribute to longer life spans. A study conducted at Harvard compared the lifespan of women from countries with paid maternity leave, such as France and Japan, with the United States.The countries with paid maternity leave had significantly higher lifespans than women in the United States (Leaves of Absence). Evidence shows that paid maternity leave provides health benefits, which is
A recent study conducted at Harvard found that women in European countries, with guaranteed paid maternity, were 16.2% less likely to suffer from depression, than countries such as the US, where paid maternity leave is not given (link). Marge Dwyer, of the School of Public Health Communications, explains why this may be: “A period of leave shortly after birth may improve mother-child relationships, which may in turn improve maternal well-being in older age.” (link). When paid maternity leave is given, women are more likely to take off time from work than women without paid maternity leave. In fact, a study conducted in 2008 found that nearly one third of all working American mothers did not go on maternity leave at all (Women’s). This proves that many new mothers in the United States are not able to go on maternity leave because they can not afford to. This furthers the reason to why paid maternity leave should be given. Not only does paid maternity leave affect women mentally, but it can also contribute to longer life spans. A study conducted at Harvard compared the lifespan of women from countries with paid maternity leave, such as France and Japan, with the United States.The countries with paid maternity leave had significantly higher lifespans than women in the United States (Leaves of Absence). Evidence shows that paid maternity leave provides health benefits, which is