Channeling my high school self

[chargirlgenius]

Whereas, the powers that be are encouraging sick people to stay home from work or school when they’re sick, and
Whereas the United States has the paltriest sick and maternity leaves among all industrialized nations, and
Whereas individuals will come to work sick because they will either lose pay or vacation time when it is combined, and
Whereas companies will not voluntarily offer better sick and maternity leaves without it being legally mandated, and
Whereas a legal mandate will put American companies on an even playing field with one another, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that Congress should get their collective heads out of their asses and pass legislation that
1. Requires employers that have a minimum of 10 employees to offer at least 15 paid sick leave to employees.
2. Requires the aforementioned employers to separate sick time from vacation time.
3. Requires the aforementioned employers to provide at least three months paid maternity leave.

Comments

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

WRT personal leave – I left that out because it’s not as common as sick and vacation time. Doctor’s appointments would certainly fall under sick time. Staying home with sick kids is sick time. That’s how it works for government employees (Jeff, anyway).

For my part, I don’t particularly care who exactly would pay this leave, be it the government, or the companies. I put companies into the post, but I could have just as easily said the government. I would actually expect it to be some combination, perhaps based on models from, oh, pretty much any other industrialized country in the world?

As for maternity leave, we have one of the absolute WORST maternity leave and parental support systems in the world, and certainly the worst among any first world nation. Even with the Family and Medical Leave Act, that time that companies are required to give to parents is completely and totally unpaid, unless the parent has vacation time and/or disability leave. Even then, small businesses and companies that fall under any number of any loopholes don’t have to give any leave, and can even refuse to give a mother her job back if she takes leave.

The “parents have a choice” meme is thrown out there so often, but it is thin and virtually invalid. Yep, people can choose whether or not to have a child. However, many parents cannot afford to take unpaid time off of work to provide adequate care for their newborns. (And much as some people would like to suggest otherwise, reproduction is not a privilege reserved only for those with enough money.) Six weeks, though it’s so common in this country, does not cut it. The 8 weeks that I took did not cut it. I know I’m opening a can of worms here (but that particular “parents have a choice” meme angers me); I’ve heard way too much from the childfree community about all of these supposed “special benefits” that parents get. Early maternal employment has an impact on child health and well-being. Child health and well-being is a public health issue.

[beatrixherald.livejournal.com]

I admit I am childless. I May not ever have kids (I am 30, but my hubby is 41, so we have some time to decide still). I do love other peoples kids and know that the next generation will be here when we are all gone.

I totally agree that child health and well being is a public health issue. I also agree that 8 weeks is not enough time. I think a year is not REALLY enough time. I would LOVE to see parents able to spend 18-24 months (or longer) home with an infant before sending them off to daycare and pre-school. Kids need it and deserve to have their parents around during those important years of development. (as do older kids, but I think that is another post)

Being able to afford time off is one of the MAIN reasons we have chosen not to have children. How do we support ourselves and our family on one income? I have met single parents who work, AND attend college. I am blown away at how they are able to do it. There is little support out there for families.

My point is that we have CHOSEN to be childless. We know what systems are in place. What options are available to us. How much it costs to care for children. And We don't have a social network that would support us, no Grandmas or Aunts and Uncles to watch the kids sometimes, or help us out with buying diapers and school clothes. It seems an overwhelming obstacle to be a good parent and remain comfortably middle class.

I am not saying it is a privilege to have children, only that people who choose to have kids are accepting the difficulties and sacrifice that go along with it. AND that there are very few truly accidental pregnancies. If you have un-protected sex, you should expect to get pregnant (and I theorize on some level are planning to).

It is sad that in this country that you get more support for your children if you are dirt poor, than if you are working a modest job. We all know parents who spend 50-80% of their income on child care so that they can go to work, just to have insurance. But some women who do not work collect checks and food stamps and Medicare AND get to stay home with their babies.

The point here is NOT to rag on welfare programs, because they are so important. My point is that they should be expanded to include more people. Why not provide WIC checks to all parents who request them for healthy foods for their kids. Why not cover all people, mothers, fathers, children... with govt health care so that if a parent stays home with his or her child, they are still covered.

This protects the children of parents who make bad decisions too. It is not a child's fault if the parents spend money on luxury items and cannot afford the doctor for the kids. and is a car and a cell phone really a luxury? A home computer? Clothing for themselves and the children? what about regular Take out dinners because both parents work long hours and dont have the time and energy to make dinner at the end of the day?

These parents who work hard need support too. The stay at home parents are the ones who have time to take interest in their children's educations, join PTA, Do Cub Scouts, Coach sports, pay attention to local politics...etc These are important parts of parenting that too few parents are able to perform.

I choose not to have children because I dont think I can be a good parent based on the support availiable. Not everyone wants to make that choice, and I respect that. Some people have better family support structures. some people have more energy and are willing to sacrifice more. And some people are too ignorant event to think about the consequences of having un-protected sex. But the govt should protect and support all children, children of good parents, children of bad parents, and children of parents who are doing the best they can. In otherwords ALL children. And that means supporting parents, which they are not doing well enough right now. IMHO Some places do it better (Canada, Germany...etc) some places do it worse (China).

My 2 many cents.