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Agitating for Change

Maternity Leave Is Important to Everyone

By Kelly Burgess

. "The big question for the American family is how long will it take to address this once and for all at the national level."

At the moment, since there are no requirements that an employer pay for maternity leave, women generally use a combination of leftover sick leave, vacation or personal days and short-term disability, which is paid at a fraction of the original salary. From there, any time off is unpaid, which leaves parents who are struggling financially with some very tough choices.

Jodi Grant of the National Partnership for Women & Families says research shows that 25 percent of poverty spells begin with the birth of a child. "Some of this is unpredictable," she says. "You may save up and have some savings, thinking that will get you through, but what if you end up on bed rest and it eats up six weeks of your 12-week leave? Do you want to go back to work after only six weeks home with the new baby? These are some of the dilemmas new parents face. It reaches a point where it's inhumane, especially when you consider that many infant care centers won't take a child until he's 12 weeks old. It's a no-win situation."

The benefits to making family-friendly policies go far beyond your personal health or your own child's well-being. While social benefits in the United States often are viewed as an intrusion into families and business or a step toward socialism, in Europe they are considered an investment in the future stability and well-being of a nation. Family benefits are important because they encourage family growth and allow a child's parents to raise their children, as well as helping to distribute wealth and curb poverty. Sociologically, this makes for a stronger economy and a stronger, healthier social structure with lower crime rates and higher levels of education.

Beyond maternity leave, says Jolie Solomon, deputy editor of Working Mother Magazine

Want to see more?

• Are You Ready to Try to Conceive? Take Our Interactive Quiz and Find Out
• Considering Religion: How Will You Raise Kids?
• Money, Marriage and Medicine: Some Things to Think About Before You Conceive
• Talk about it!