Parents deserve to give their children a stable and loving household so they may develop cultural values early in their child’s life. These expectations are encompassed by a federal law known as maternity leave, which gives new parents the time and patience to build a protective home.
Building connections with a child and the adjustments associated takes weeks, if not months for new parents to fully adapt to these new changes. Parents need the time available to develop their new lives, whether it’s after giving birth, becoming a foster parent of a child, going through adoption or placement of a child for adoption.
Under Texas law, women can take up to 12 weeks of protected leave, but it is not required to be paid. Other states have their own similar laws, giving designated but not paid leave. Countries more developed in the facet of maternity leave, such as certain European countries or Brazil offer mandatory payment on maternity leave.
In Texas, spouses do not gain any paid leave either, meaning parental leave is not a given. This forces people to cut down their time with their children to keep a roof over their heads. Some parents need to work more than one job to stay financially afloat, as well as carry the responsibility of being present in the child’s life. Some women become single mothers and have no support from spouses to take leave, even for a week. This sets a dangerous balance for new parents to uphold.
It takes money to give birth in a hospital or hire a doula, it takes money to build a reliable home, it takes money to feed the child and support a comfortable lifestyle. Without paid maternity leave, money becomes a strain on the household, forcing people to end their maternity leave early, leaving the child without a upheld support system.
Under the possible enforcement of the Harris Health plans regarding maternity leave, new mothers are granted four weeks of paid maternity leave. In addition, non-birthing parents receive a full week of paid leave. Parents are also granted paternity leave, although for a shorter period of time, allowing all parents the capability to establish a secure household. All parents, who have either given birth or adopted, have access to these plans.
With the Harris plan, employees can use the full 12 weeks total at the beginning of the 12 month period, despite using time off in the previous 12 months, or can bank the 12 weeks towards the end of any pre planned leave.
The person applying for this leave has to be eligible, and meet the following requirements; be a current full time employee and be employed for at least 180 days consecutively right after the birth or adoption..
The amount of time of paid leave ranges from a minimum of three weeks to a maximum of 12, compensated with the employee’s paycheck, which is the bare minimum for what should be given.
Conversely, presidential candidate Donald Trump lacks in providing a viable plan, or any plan at all. The lack of effort in showcasing plans on supporting families is a major concern. For someone who is unclear in his stance if women should have access to abortion rights, the care for the child after birth is highly alarming, considering there is none.
Trump had claimed in 2016 that he would have a family plan in place for paid maternity leave, but during his presidency it was not accomplished. Now, in this presidential election, Trump has not yet given a claim on maternity leave, which gives Trump the potential to strip away the rights to maternity leave, nevermind paid maternity leave.
Maternity leave is a right that should be granted to everyone. A new generation takes effort and money to raise, to ensure the children live in a safe and sheltered society. The first few moments in the child’s early life can play a huge part in laying the groundwork of building their cognitive thinking, as well as their social and emotional development.
Maternity leave is a must for all. Harris ensures to have a secure maternity leave plan, meanwhile Trump stays true to being silent on his plans. Maternity leave does not affect just mothers, but entire families. When voting this upcoming election, those who are eligible should consider this part of policies so that they may help the new families of America.
