How America ended up with the worst maternity leave laws on earth

[koshergrl]

We are the wealthiest country on earth

Why do we insist that mothers abandon their infants as quickly as possible?

Parents have to abandon their children because it is no longer possible for most families to survive independently on one paycheck.

Here's an idea. Let's solve THAT problem!

This is because once women started working to bring in more money for the family, the big money guys saw this and the cost of living started rising. Now it is necessary for two people to work in many cases.

So...they just said "we shall raise the cost of living" and it was done?

What are the names of these "big money guys"?

How exactly do they get everybody in the world to arbitrarily raise their prices?

That's some pull! Did it happen on a Wednesday? What was the date?

 

[ClosedCaption]

Parents have to abandon their children because it is no longer possible for most families to survive independently on one paycheck.

Here's an idea. Let's solve THAT problem!

This is because once women started working to bring in more money for the family, the big money guys saw this and the cost of living started rising. Now it is necessary for two people to work in many cases.

So...they just said "we shall raise the cost of living" and it was done?

Yes

What are the names of these "big money guys"?

Richard, Chad, Brad and Stewart

How exactly do they get everybody in the world to arbitrarily raise their prices?

Conference call

That's some pull! Did it happen on a Wednesday? What was the date?

Close it was on Monday Jan 6th, 1985 at 2pm EST

 

[Politico]

A woman having no maternity leave in her job is more likely to choose abortion as an alternative

"I can not afford a baby right now" is a major factor in getting an abortion

Here's an idea: Don't get pregnant if you "can not afford a baby right now".

Vaginas dont work like that...You must be thinking about it like the "legitimate rape" logic. That if a woman doesnt make enough money her vagina and uterus will reject the sperm

No it is legitimate don't be an idiot logic. Just because your vagina accepted the sperm you injected into it does not mean your employer should pay for the result.

 

[rightwinger]

Here's an idea: Don't get pregnant if you "can not afford a baby right now".

Vaginas dont work like that...You must be thinking about it like the "legitimate rape" logic. That if a woman doesnt make enough money her vagina and uterus will reject the sperm

No it is legitimate don't be an idiot logic. Just because your vagina accepted the sperm you injected into it does not mean your employer should pay for the result.

Fire the ***** for getting banged up on company time. Smart employers should hire virgins

 

[rightwinger]

I never looked at it that way...



And in a strong economy, a woman can tell her boss she is leaving because the company doesn't offer maternity benefits. She would have two companies offering her a better deal

However, in a weak economy, the employer will tell her.....if you don't like it, leave. I have ten people who will take your place



But what does that say about our society? Do we value families so little? Unless the government says everyone must offer 12 weeks, women and infants will be at the mercy of our economy



Mexico finds a way to give 12 weeks maternity leave....why can't we?

Mexico also put a right to health care in their Constitution.

Why yes, lets' model ourselves after mexico. Its so great down there that they are all massing at our border.

Then how about Canada or dozens of other nations who offer better maternity benefits?

Countries that actually understand what families mean.

 

[Seawytch]

Why yes, lets' model ourselves after mexico. Its so great down there that they are all massing at our border.

They're coming here for jobs, not healthcare.

I didn't say that they put their plan into action very well, but it says a lot that it's in their Constitution don't you think?

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Why yes, lets' model ourselves after mexico. Its so great down there that they are all massing at our border.

They're coming here for jobs, not healthcare.

I didn't say that they put their plan into action very well, but it says a lot that it's in their Constitution don't you think?

I agree about the jobs part. Of course they'll put it in there knowing that they'll never even be able to deliver.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Mexico also put a right to health care in their Constitution.

Why yes, lets' model ourselves after mexico. Its so great down there that they are all massing at our border.

Then how about Canada or dozens of other nations who offer better maternity benefits?

Countries that actually understand what families mean.

Every company that I've been involved with has offered maternity care.

 

[rightwinger]

Why yes, lets' model ourselves after mexico. Its so great down there that they are all massing at our border.

Then how about Canada or dozens of other nations who offer better maternity benefits?

Countries that actually understand what families mean.

Every company that I've been involved with has offered maternity care.

So it shouldn't be a big deal to require it nationwide

 

[ClosedCaption]

Here's an idea: Don't get pregnant if you "can not afford a baby right now".

Vaginas dont work like that...You must be thinking about it like the "legitimate rape" logic. That if a woman doesnt make enough money her vagina and uterus will reject the sperm

No it is legitimate don't be an idiot logic. Just because your vagina accepted the sperm you injected into it does not mean your employer should pay for the result.

Man you are tough...Employers shouldnt provide anything but a paycheck according to republicans and you wonder why people look at republicans funny when they try to convince everyone that Unions arent needed anymore.

Because when you guys give your opinion anything more than a paycheck in your eyes is a perk.

Thank goodness people reject your ideology.

 

[Freewill]

Is there a data mine that liberals go to that produces whatever they think if bad about America? Seems to me that if liberals think the US so bad they need to find another utopian country. Wouldn't that be easier then trying to form this country into their image?

 

[BobPlumb]

Then how about Canada or dozens of other nations who offer better maternity benefits?

Countries that actually understand what families mean.

Every company that I've been involved with has offered maternity care.

So it shouldn't be a big deal to require it nationwide

The more the American government mandates, the less freedom Americans have. Who owns a business, the entrepreneur or the government?

 

[Skull Pilot]

Why should a business owner have to fund an employees pregnancy?

If you want to have a kid then save up some vacation time, save some money and take the time off.

Most employees will hold a position for up to 12 weeks anyway but there should be no mandate to pay a person 3 months salary for not working.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Then how about Canada or dozens of other nations who offer better maternity benefits?

Countries that actually understand what families mean.

Every company that I've been involved with has offered maternity care.

So it shouldn't be a big deal to require it nationwide

If an employer wants to offer it thats fine. Govt forcing it to.....no.

 

[BobPlumb]

There are many unintended consequencies to mandating paid maternity leave.

1. Businesses will avoid hiring women of childbearing age.
2. Businesses will have less resources for other types of pay and benifits for their employees.
3. Less hiring of employees, more unenemployment.
4. Increase in pay inequity between men and women that do the same job. (There is a cost to paying someone not to work and having to pay someone to fill in during leave)
These are just a few.

 

[jknowgood]

and regardless of all that bullshit deflection...Companies should provide better and longer maternity care. There is literally no good argument against it.

See you have never ran a company, you cannot pay someone not to work. Gm proved that.

 

[Noomi]

Australia has maternity and paternity leave.

 

[auditor0007]

Hint: It starts with an (R)

How America ended up with the worst maternity leave laws on Earth - The Week

Since the 1960s, a handful of states have mandated paid maternity leave, framing pregnancy as a disability that allowed new mothers to be eligible for temporary disability insurance, says Steven Wisensale, a professor at the University of Connecticut who does research on family leave policy. But the idea didn't take off. Currently, only California, Rhode Island, and New Jersey provide paid family leave.

In the Reagan years, there was a rebirth of individualism in American politics, notes Wisensale. Since then, paid leave "is viewed by the right wing and frightened moderates as 'more big taxes by big government,'" he says. Shabo agrees that the United States has a "mythologized individualistic culture," where people believe finances and parenthood are to be dealt with individually, with each family fending for themselves

In the meantime, this political stalemate isn't doing expectant mothers any favors. "When women don't have access to paid leave, the birth of a child can be a moment of financial crisis for a family," says Martin.

Williams puts it more bluntly: "The United States is still trying to pretend that real workers don't have babies," she says. "Other countries offer paid maternity leave because they're facing reality — we have our head in the sand."

Maternity leave is just another socialist program promoted by pinko commies. Everyone knows a woman's place is in the home anyway. Women have no business being in the workforce. They should be at home raising kids and cooking our dinner.

 

[CaféAuLait]

I just looked for information on your infograph its bunk. Canada does NOT offer 50 paid weeks of maternity leave, it gives 15 paid at 55 percent of their pay, period. A person can take up to a year in leave but they are not paid at all.

Maternity Leave Basics: Canada Vs. The U.S.


Figures Think Progress LIED again. Shall I look at the others? Of course US is listed at zero, while Huffington has them at 14 weeks

.

Maternity Leaves Around The World: Worst And Best Countries For Paid Maternity Leave (PHOTOS)

 

[Avorysuds]

Since the 1960s, a handful of states have mandated paid maternity leave, framing pregnancy as a disability

Pregnancy as a disability! Interesting.

And what are the state laws with respect to a self-inflicted disability? Do you still have to pay the person?

Say, for example, I drop a hammer on my foot at home, on purpose. Do I get to collect disability?

You have to understand, RW (as per my direct quote) gets paid to do nothing... Thus it only makes sense to support stupidity and unproductive people. This is where a mindless fool like RW claims "A WEMON IS NOT UNPRODUCTIVE!" And I say "if she can't work, then by definition... yeah she is..." Unless we are going to start paying people to have babies.... oh **** me....