The 2016 election is no doubt one that will go down in history. Although the two candidates had differing opinions about almost everything, there was one issue they both agreed on: paid maternity leave. This election was the first time in history both parties pushed for paid maternity leave, but as always, they disagreed on the logistics. Donald Trump believes women deserve 6 weeks of paid maternity leave after childbirth, and plans to pay for it through unemployment insurance. In contrast, Hillary Clinton believes no matter how the child is received (i.e. childbirth, surrogate, or adoption), both men and women deserve paid maternity leave (Sholar). Even though Trump and Clinton do not agree in every aspect, they both want mothers to take
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“The United States is the only developed country without a national paid-maternity-leave program. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 mandates that employers offer twelve weeks of job-protected leave to workers for family-related issues, but 40 percent of working women are ineligible, because of the various restrictions” (McCloskey). Eliza Strickland, Senior Associate Editor at IEEE Spectrum, acknowledges that a single mother today earns only 60 cents to every dollar a man makes, while a mother earns 73 cents and a childless woman earns 90 cents (Strickland). Strickland proves here that the wage gap is still prevalent today in the workplace. Although the wage gap between men and women has become closer together, the only way the gap can close entirely is to create paid maternity leave. This way, women can take twelve weeks off with their newborn child, and can be financially supported through the stressful and chaotic time. Executive director and chief economist at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, Heather Boushey, notes, “The returns to having paid maternity leave are high; however, the costs of providing this leave are relatively low. A recent [as of 2005] estimate for the state of Massachusetts found that implementing a paid parental leave program of 12 weeks at 50 percent of wages would incur an annual cost on every worker in the state of …show more content…
Speaking up about paid maternity leave is more important than ever, in light of the outcome of the election. Writing letters to the state government, as well as to Washington D.C. is a way to get one’s voice and opinion out there. Another way would be to attend demonstrations or protests, and being a physical face to lawmakers about the importance of paid maternity leave. Also, educating employers and CEO’s or heads of a company is really where the difference can stem from. Letting them know the way women should be treated and the tone they want the workplace to be set is important; so suggesting a speaker to come in and talk to the company or simply having a meeting with the head of a company could be beneficial. Lastly and most easy, is to vote in elections, especially for the candidate who supports paid maternity leave. If not, America will be stuck in the same place we have been in for over 100 years, and it is time to move forward and expand laws to cover everyone, including
“The United States is the only developed country without a national paid-maternity-leave program. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 mandates that employers offer twelve weeks of job-protected leave to workers for family-related issues, but 40 percent of working women are ineligible, because of the various restrictions” (McCloskey). Eliza Strickland, Senior Associate Editor at IEEE Spectrum, acknowledges that a single mother today earns only 60 cents to every dollar a man makes, while a mother earns 73 cents and a childless woman earns 90 cents (Strickland). Strickland proves here that the wage gap is still prevalent today in the workplace. Although the wage gap between men and women has become closer together, the only way the gap can close entirely is to create paid maternity leave. This way, women can take twelve weeks off with their newborn child, and can be financially supported through the stressful and chaotic time. Executive director and chief economist at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, Heather Boushey, notes, “The returns to having paid maternity leave are high; however, the costs of providing this leave are relatively low. A recent [as of 2005] estimate for the state of Massachusetts found that implementing a paid parental leave program of 12 weeks at 50 percent of wages would incur an annual cost on every worker in the state of …show more content…
Speaking up about paid maternity leave is more important than ever, in light of the outcome of the election. Writing letters to the state government, as well as to Washington D.C. is a way to get one’s voice and opinion out there. Another way would be to attend demonstrations or protests, and being a physical face to lawmakers about the importance of paid maternity leave. Also, educating employers and CEO’s or heads of a company is really where the difference can stem from. Letting them know the way women should be treated and the tone they want the workplace to be set is important; so suggesting a speaker to come in and talk to the company or simply having a meeting with the head of a company could be beneficial. Lastly and most easy, is to vote in elections, especially for the candidate who supports paid maternity leave. If not, America will be stuck in the same place we have been in for over 100 years, and it is time to move forward and expand laws to cover everyone, including