3 thoughts on “Problem Memo on the Importance of Maternity Leave”
It is amazing how the United States is so behind in paid maternity leave compared to other countries. Even the difference between one company and another is shocking. I know from friends and family with young children there is a marked difference in those that were able to have paid maternity leave and those that did not, including how long the maternity leave could be.
I would be curious to learn which states have more family-friendly policies, and why one company chooses to offer paid leave while their competitors do not. What causes a company to offer maternity leave? Are those companies run by women or men with families? What is the financial burden on a company to offer (long-term) maternity leave? It would be interesting to see if the companies that offer paid leave have better employee retention, and a more satisfied workforce overall. I think many women (and men, too) would chose the more progressive company if given such an option.
As a woman, it is something that I consider in the back of my mind when looking for work. As you mentioned, sometimes the skills you have do not align with a company that is going to give paid maternity leave. This could be a mitigating factor for people to pursue a specific type of career. From my experience, teachers are able to take maternity leave without (many) repercussions. Where as, women in some other careers can be pushed out of their positions or their companies altogether due to taking time off for maternity leave, paid or not. It is a poor reflection on our country that we often have to suffer both financially and emotionally at a time that is one of the most special in our lives.
Hi Carmelo,
I think you chose a very important issue for your problem memo. I have several female friends currently working in various school districts around the state and I know that this is an issue they worry about a great deal.
I noticed you didn’t really explore the effect of this policy on single mothers. You mentioned that families cannot support themselves when they lose one of their sources of income and I can only imagine how bad things must be for single mothers. I will say that when approaching this legislatively, I do believe it is better to focus on the family unit rather than the single mother due to other issues being brought up by value voters. Maybe that was your intention, either way, nice job!
Hi, Carmelo,
Before I didn’t realize the importance of maternity leave. I’m from China, women encounter the same situation. Most of them postpone the childbirth in their life agendas, especially those in higher positions fear to be replaced thereafter. After reading your memo, I did some research and found that paid maternity leave will not only benefit individual families, but also the nation on a larger scale. First, paid leave relieve the economic and mental struggling for working women in order to devote fully in bonding with babies which is positive influence on the future characteristics of the children. Second, it ensures stable income for working-class families, and improve well-being of the whole society. However, there exists some concerns of the fear to cripple economic growth.
It is amazing how the United States is so behind in paid maternity leave compared to other countries. Even the difference between one company and another is shocking. I know from friends and family with young children there is a marked difference in those that were able to have paid maternity leave and those that did not, including how long the maternity leave could be.
I would be curious to learn which states have more family-friendly policies, and why one company chooses to offer paid leave while their competitors do not. What causes a company to offer maternity leave? Are those companies run by women or men with families? What is the financial burden on a company to offer (long-term) maternity leave? It would be interesting to see if the companies that offer paid leave have better employee retention, and a more satisfied workforce overall. I think many women (and men, too) would chose the more progressive company if given such an option.
As a woman, it is something that I consider in the back of my mind when looking for work. As you mentioned, sometimes the skills you have do not align with a company that is going to give paid maternity leave. This could be a mitigating factor for people to pursue a specific type of career. From my experience, teachers are able to take maternity leave without (many) repercussions. Where as, women in some other careers can be pushed out of their positions or their companies altogether due to taking time off for maternity leave, paid or not. It is a poor reflection on our country that we often have to suffer both financially and emotionally at a time that is one of the most special in our lives.
Hi Carmelo,
I think you chose a very important issue for your problem memo. I have several female friends currently working in various school districts around the state and I know that this is an issue they worry about a great deal.
I noticed you didn’t really explore the effect of this policy on single mothers. You mentioned that families cannot support themselves when they lose one of their sources of income and I can only imagine how bad things must be for single mothers. I will say that when approaching this legislatively, I do believe it is better to focus on the family unit rather than the single mother due to other issues being brought up by value voters. Maybe that was your intention, either way, nice job!
Hi, Carmelo,
Before I didn’t realize the importance of maternity leave. I’m from China, women encounter the same situation. Most of them postpone the childbirth in their life agendas, especially those in higher positions fear to be replaced thereafter. After reading your memo, I did some research and found that paid maternity leave will not only benefit individual families, but also the nation on a larger scale. First, paid leave relieve the economic and mental struggling for working women in order to devote fully in bonding with babies which is positive influence on the future characteristics of the children. Second, it ensures stable income for working-class families, and improve well-being of the whole society. However, there exists some concerns of the fear to cripple economic growth.
I look forward to your solutions to this problem.