First, I share many of the opinions of Chickenhauler. However, I do see both sides of this debate. My opinion is that both sides are right AND wrong. I have been trying to work on an idea that would satisfy both sides (to a degree). I think that the US should develop a program for men AND women to accrue time off for PAID maternity/paternity leave. Not like an insurance program where EVERYONE pays in, but elective, like a 401K or FSA (flexible spending account). I had a job where I could choose to take an extra week of paid vacation. It really wasn't paid. They deducted 1/26 of my weekly pay from each biweekly paycheck. So during that extra week, I got paid (from the money I "saved" via payroll deductions).
Make it ELECTIVE and SELF-FINANCED and for both MEN and WOMEN.
Now here's the added advantage:
Look at the state of the economy. Sure, they keep "bringing more jobs in", but it's not helping when you replace $20/hr jobs with minimum wage jobs. Employers are paying minimal wages and salaries because they can in this market. By allowing more new parents to take more paid (self-funded) time off (for months at a time), you are freeing up work. That work still needs to get done. So the employer needs to bring in a temp or long-term temp. That temp is now off welfare and paying taxes. Lessens the burden on society. The more time a woman is on maternity leave, the more women on maternity leave each day. More women on maternity leave, more vacancies. More vacancies, takes more people off welfare and into the job market. This can spiral into less unemployment, less welfare, etc. This also evens the playing field between employers and employees. Employees can bargain for high wages and salaries. Employers will have to pay the higher salaries to keep good employees. Overall, salaries go up. Fathers (or the parent working outside the home) can bargain for better pay, increasing their ability to be better able to support their families on that one income. So some of these mothers (or stay-at-home parent) do not HAVE to go back to work unless they choose to.
I'm sure my ideas will get poo-pooed, but at least I'm trying to come up with a solution that supports the family unit without turning our country into a socialist country. God bless!

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