Mothers birth America's future workers and customers, and all they get in return is a pay cut

[rohangibbs]

Not to mention that if you leave for years your social security can take a massive hit.

[joelw]

It's not time off, it's hard work.

[leyrua]

Yep. It's amazing how many people don't realize that _penalizing_ having children means that your economy is going to suffer down the line.

[WilliamDancin]

Women do the literal labor of growing and birthing the next generation, but both partners become parents. If the USA really cared about babies & families, it would stop forcing people to perform unwanted childbirth, and join the rest of the world in establishing paid PARENTAL leave.

[brendahubbell]

We also lose out on social security gains while working less to raise our children.

[CTeale]

Every man raised by a single mother, felt the meaning of the words. Now it’s time for us to act like we know.

[GSBarlev]

Another aspect of why paid *parental* leave is important—if both mothers and fathers are taking time off after the birth of their children, then corporations can't claim that the "motherhood penalty" is a natural result of there not being a gap in employment.

[HRHDMKYT]

Absolutely. I used to work for a multinational corporation that actually layed off women after they had their child and just returned to their jobs. Their spouses (at the same company, taking off the same amount of paternal leave) never suffered that same penalty. It’s truly despicable, and such a disincentive for women to want to have children!

[Josh-]

We have created an economy where having children is a luxury -- one that many people cannot afford.

[chriskriskovic]

This is the best kind of Desi, both smart and profane!

[christinavuyk]

My mind is still blown that America doesn’t have paid maternity leave, it’s the 21st century ffs 😳

[thevnsdrkangl]

It takes a village. Some are blessed with better villages than others

[Beautyonthebrain_]

we also need to discuss the medical industries refusal to sterilize women because we "might change our mind." Doctors don't bat an eye at a man asking for a vasectomy, but I want my tubes tied & I have to sit through a demeaning lecture about how this will prevent me from reproducing. THAT'S THE F-ING POINT!!!!

[girlcheck]

As a mother of four grown children who has been a single mother a majority of her adult life while being the primary breadwinner, I had to start over and reinvent myself multiple times. Even now as an older professional, I endured the same glass ceiling industry wage rate for over 10 years. Women, and their children need and deserve better. Vote 🔵🌊

[CDPGaming-TCG]

If they are forced to have the baby, she should have the benefits to take care of said baby.

[chessenthusiast]

Universal child care. Universal healthcare. Free education. Affordable housing. Paid family leave. There, I solved your problem.

[YourHeartsDesires]

Here in Canada, we have paid paternity for up to 52 weeks. It can also be shared between the mother and father, 6 months each, or a whole year for mother, or father.

[lelacalhoun]

Also, women are usually the ones that take off work to take care of the sick Family, no matter who it is including the in-laws aunts. Uncles, we're usually the ones that are on home care duty. And it affects our social security, big time, I know it sure has mine, but I still feel blessed to take care of the eight people I took care of

[MMathis]

When people in entertainment know more than the people in government.

[rosablume]

Yea, I totally walked into this one, married, two kids, DH works a lot, I do part time to manage all the doctors appointments etcetera.
And my pension is not looking great, we are not there yet when raising kids is the largest poverty risk