Maternity leave is inherently gender specific. Given that policies governing “maternity” leave, whether paid or unpaid, impact men and women so differently, one must examine the issue through the lens of gender equality. Articles by economists and sociologists, provide insight into the effects of childrearing on a woman’s career and earning potential in the United States. Furthermore, examining other countries’ maternity leave policies helps identify how changes to federal maternity leave requirements might impact US women.
Two federal laws provide the framework for the current maternity leave requirements. First, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 forbids an employer from treating a woman unfavorably due to pregnancy or childbirth …show more content…
The US Department of Labor conducts surveys measuring the US workforce, enabling sociologists and economists to study the impact of life events on employment and wages. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth from 1979 to 2006 found that unmarried women without children earn 96 cents per each dollar a man earns, but married women who have children earn 76 cents per each dollar a man earns (Miller, Motherhood). Studies consistently find that college educated women with children are less likely to have a career than those without children. In a study done by Claudia Goldin, Professor of Economics at Harvard University, only 31% of mothers worked full-time compared to 67% of women who are non-mothers (Waldfogel). The data suggests that having children contributes significantly to the gender wage gap, which contributes to poverty for many families. 7.3 million families are supported by working single mothers, 61.9% of whom lived below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (NWLC). Single-mother families often struggle economically. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 71% of mothers work, and in 40% of households women are the sole or primary caregiver (Miller, Motherhood). A majority of families would benefit from more equal wages for women, but due to the family gap, women’s careers and families are …show more content…
And that the leave is paid does not alter the fact that very long maternity leave often harms a woman’s career. Excessively long maternity leave actually increases pay inequality when women return after years out of the workforce. “In countries that promote more traditional gender roles, like Germany, where new mothers are expected to take more than a year off work, the motherhood penalty is very high” (Miller, Motherhood). In Germany, long maternity leave has increased gender inequality because women are gone from work longer and return less proficient in their position. Extensive maternity leave policies harden the glass ceiling; women in Nordic countries with generous leave often do not reach the high paying positions of power that American women do (Hymowitz). Because women spend a year or more off with each child in these countries, their careers suffer and they quickly fall behind men who take little time off for a
Two federal laws provide the framework for the current maternity leave requirements. First, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 forbids an employer from treating a woman unfavorably due to pregnancy or childbirth …show more content…
The US Department of Labor conducts surveys measuring the US workforce, enabling sociologists and economists to study the impact of life events on employment and wages. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth from 1979 to 2006 found that unmarried women without children earn 96 cents per each dollar a man earns, but married women who have children earn 76 cents per each dollar a man earns (Miller, Motherhood). Studies consistently find that college educated women with children are less likely to have a career than those without children. In a study done by Claudia Goldin, Professor of Economics at Harvard University, only 31% of mothers worked full-time compared to 67% of women who are non-mothers (Waldfogel). The data suggests that having children contributes significantly to the gender wage gap, which contributes to poverty for many families. 7.3 million families are supported by working single mothers, 61.9% of whom lived below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (NWLC). Single-mother families often struggle economically. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 71% of mothers work, and in 40% of households women are the sole or primary caregiver (Miller, Motherhood). A majority of families would benefit from more equal wages for women, but due to the family gap, women’s careers and families are …show more content…
And that the leave is paid does not alter the fact that very long maternity leave often harms a woman’s career. Excessively long maternity leave actually increases pay inequality when women return after years out of the workforce. “In countries that promote more traditional gender roles, like Germany, where new mothers are expected to take more than a year off work, the motherhood penalty is very high” (Miller, Motherhood). In Germany, long maternity leave has increased gender inequality because women are gone from work longer and return less proficient in their position. Extensive maternity leave policies harden the glass ceiling; women in Nordic countries with generous leave often do not reach the high paying positions of power that American women do (Hymowitz). Because women spend a year or more off with each child in these countries, their careers suffer and they quickly fall behind men who take little time off for a