U.S. should join rest of industrialized countries and offer paid maternity leave: Obama

Discussion in 'Politics Discussion' started by ash2014uk, Jun 25, 2014.

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    Jun 25, 2014
  1. ash2014uk

    ash2014uk Well-Known Member

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    ash2014uk, Jun 25, 2014
    ash2014uk, Jun 25, 2014
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    2. Jun 25, 2014
  2. Peninha

    Peninha Senior Investor

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    OK, this is news to me, the US don't pay maternity leave? Are you serious? How do the women that are having kids manage to survive? They clearly can't work, so what's their source of income in those super-important months?
     
    Peninha, Jun 25, 2014
    Peninha, Jun 25, 2014
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    3. Jun 25, 2014
  3. Annabell

    Annabell Well-Known Member

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    I'm genuinely surprised that this wasn't already a thing. I mean, seriously, how was this not already a thing before? Of course there should be paid maternity leave. Likewise there should be paid paternity leave, both of which should be extended if the parent chooses to stay at home to look after their child.
     
    Annabell, Jun 25, 2014
    Annabell, Jun 25, 2014
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    4. Jun 26, 2014
  4. turt

    turt Guest

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    The US has very little benefits compared to other powerful countries. Lower minimum wage than others, no vacation time required (an employer can make you work 7 days a week and for almost as many hours as they want with only $25,000...)
     
    turt, Jun 26, 2014
    turt, Jun 26, 2014
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    5. Jun 26, 2014
  5. JR Ewing

    JR Ewing Super Moderator Staff Member

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    1) Having kids is (or should be) an individual choice you make at the right time(s) in your life.

    2) The federal govt should have no say in whether or not companies pay maternity leave IMO.

    3) No offense, but the US becoming more like the UK, France, and other European nations is not a good thing in general IMO.
     
    JR Ewing, Jun 26, 2014
    JR Ewing, Jun 26, 2014
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    6. Jun 26, 2014
  6. Annabell

    Annabell Well-Known Member

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    Thank god I don't live in the Land of the Free, because this is simply disgusting.
     
    Annabell, Jun 26, 2014
    Annabell, Jun 26, 2014
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    7. Jun 28, 2014
  7. komodo

    komodo Member

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    As with medical insurance, the US is still using an antiquated system for benefits like maternity leave. The idea that benefits like these, that in Europe and many other developed (and less-developed) countries are provided by the government, should be tied to one's employer might have kind-of worked in the old days when a job tended to be a full-time, permanent thing. These days, however, people work in many different ways - freelance, contract, job-sharing, part-time, etc - and the economy has changed along with society. It's also a lot harder for a typical two-parent family to survive on just one income now, so many women (or men) can't afford to take much time off after a baby arrives.

    Exactly how mandatory maternity leave would be paid for is a different question, however!
     
    komodo, Jun 28, 2014
    komodo, Jun 28, 2014
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    8. Jun 28, 2014
  8. JR Ewing

    JR Ewing Super Moderator Staff Member

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    If you can't afford kids, don't have 'em. And don't expect an employer to have to pay two people full salaries and benefits for one job for the better portion of a full year.

    How many months into pregnancy do they expect it to kick in? And how many months after birth can a parent "milk" the situation (no pun intended... :D)?

    What about those who seem to have a child a year for years on in? Are they expecting to be paid full salary and benefits for working very little over a period of many years?

    This is another can of worms that will make the US less productive and take away even more incentive to start businesses. Another move towards socialism and knocking the country down another notch.
     
    JR Ewing, Jun 28, 2014
    JR Ewing, Jun 28, 2014
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    9. Jul 1, 2014
  9. Determined2014

    Determined2014 Guest

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    I really thought the U.S had paid maternity leave, that is sad, that it has not been having it at all, but it is a good thing that they are now considering it.
     
    Determined2014, Jul 1, 2014
    Determined2014, Jul 1, 2014
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    10. Jul 1, 2014
  10. JR Ewing

    JR Ewing Super Moderator Staff Member

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    It's a slippery slope once the govt starts forcing private companies and individuals do things that will be to their detriment under the assumption that it will be to the benefit of others - others who make choices of which the consequences made by them are not something they themselves can handle.
     
    JR Ewing, Jul 1, 2014
    JR Ewing, Jul 1, 2014
    #10
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