Working Mothers in America

According to a reputable political blog entitled, Politifact, the United States is the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn’t offer paid maternity or family leave. Following the birth of their child, most mothers return to work within two weeks because they can’t afford to be absent for an extended amount of time. Studies of European policies show that paid-leave programs can substantially reduce infant mortality rates contributing to higher IQs and income levels later in life, particularly for those of lower socioeconomic status. The United States should implement federal policy that requires companies to provide paid family leave for at least three months following the birth of their child.

    According to Business Insider, in 2004, California became the first state to implement a paid family leave program that enables Californians to receive 55% of their salary for up to six weeks. More than 90% of companies affected by the action did not disclose any significant differences in profitability or morale. It can be stated that 55% of one’s salary is not a living wage which would substantiate claims of exiguous difference in profitability or morale. Women were forced to return to the workplace prematurely due to low wages that did not allow them to support themselves or their families. When domestic companies do not provide paid maternity leave, this often leads to low employee retention rates. When working mothers are forced to leave the workplace, companies face increased expenditures of time and money to train new employees. Moreover, women in states with paid leave are less likely to use food stamps or other forms of public assistance. So not only does paid maternity leave incentivize mothers to return to the workplace following their leave, it reduces federal spending for welfare programs.

  The goal of any nation is to support and aid in the prosperity of its people. Trump’s campaign promise was to “Make America Great Again”. So what makes a country great? An educated public, easy access to health care, low poverty rates, and equality for all. These principles begin in one’s youth and are enhanced over a lifetime. Paid maternity leave is just one facet that alleviates the stress on working mothers, enabling them to raise healthy and socially conscious individuals who will then go out and make the world a better place.